ANNE  -VIRGINIA-  CULBERTSON 


•IIKIIIV 

LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF 
CALIFORNIA 


University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


AT  THE  BIG  HOUSE 


u 

6 

c 

3 

X 


AT  THE 
BIO   HOUSE 


WTiere  Aunt  Nancy  and  Aunt  ' Phrony 
Held  Forth  on  the  Animal  Folks 


By 
ANNE  VIRGINIA  CULBERTSON 


Illustrated  by 
E.  WARDE  BLAISDELL 


New  Edition 


INDIANAPOLIS 

THE  BOBBS-MERRILL  COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


Mr.  Bear  and  Mr.  Terrapin  Go  Courting  159 

Molly  Cotton-tail  Steals  Mr.  Fox's  Butter  167 

The  Fox  and  the  Duck  175 

Why  the  Ground-hog  Has  a  Short  Tail  180 

Mr.  Hare,  Mr.  Wildcat  and  Mr.  Otter  186 

Mr.  Hare  and  Mr.  Elephant  193 

The  Toad  and  the  Terrapin  198 

Mr.  Mud-turtle's  Adventure  204 

The  Crane  and  the  Humming-bird  211 

The  Fox  and  the  Hot  Potatoes  217 

How  the  Deer  Lost  His  Upper  Teeth  223 

The  Hare  Disappears  Forever  227 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

Mis'  Fox  Gin  'Em  Cheers  Frontispiece 

Mistah  Hyar'  Wuz  Gwine  Up  an'  Down 

de  Line  52 

' '  Howdy,  Mistah  Dapple- Deer,  Howdy  ! "  58 
Mistah  Hyar'  Wuz  Wu'kkin'  'Way  on  de 

Wood  76 

Las'  He  Wuz  Near  'Nuff  Ter  Watch  'Em  79 

Dey  Seed '  Possum  S witchin '  Down  de  Road  99 

Br'er  Squ'l  Clap  His  Li'l  Paws  118 

Mis'  'Possum  She  Stan'  in  Her  Do'  131 
Hyar'  Went  Spinnin'  an'  Whu'lin'  an' 

Kickin'  140 

"Yer  de  Aigs,  Mistah  B'ar"  147 
Mis'  Molly  Let  Two  Big  Tears  Fall  Ker- 

Splash  155 
' '  Name  er  Common  Sense  !  How  Did  You 

Git  Yer?"  166 

Groun'-Hog  Wuz  Darnsin'  Fer  His  Life  184 

1 '  'Tain'  Poss'bl'  Dat  I  Cu'd  Go  an'  Dream' '  196 


Toad-Frog  Perched  Up  Dar  Cuttin'  All 

Sorts  er  Shines  202 

"Hi,  Yi!  Gemmen,  How  Is  Dish  Fer  a 

Exescooshun  ?  "  210 

"Mistah  Deer,  Yo'  Toofs  Is  in  a  Pow'ful 

Bad  Way"  223 


AT  THE  BIG  HOUSE 


AT  THE  BIG  HOUSE 


GOING  DOWN  TO  UNCLE  HENKY'S 

The  three  children,  Ned  of  ten,  Janey  of  eight,  and 
Kit,  the  yellow-haired  laddie  of  five,  were  wild  with 
delight  at  the  prospect  of  a  visit  to  their  uncle  on  the 
old  plantation  where  their  mother  had  been  reared ;  for 
little  Kit  had  never  heen  there,  and  the  others  were 
too  young  to  recollect  a  former  visit.  Their  mother 
had  married  and  gone  North  to  live  some  time  before 
the  Civil  War.  Then  came  the  troubled  years  of  strife, 
when  it  was  unsafe  for  her  to  venture  with  her  little 
brood  into  the  war-swept,  storm-beaten  section  of 
southern  Virginia  where  her  old  home  was  situated. 
Now,  however,  the  struggle  had  been  over  for  a  year, 
and  she  felt  a  great  longing  to  see  home  once  more,  to 
know  what  familiar  and  cherished  objects  had  survived 
the  wreckage  of  war,  and  to  give  her  children  a  glimpse 
of  the  old  order  of  things  before  it  should  disappear 
for  ever.  She  had  told  them  so  much  of  the  place  and 
of  her  life  there,  that  they  felt  as  if  they  were  going 
to  visit  some  well-known  spot,  and  in  particular  were 
filled  with  liveliest  anticipations  of  hearing  for  them- 
selves, and  in  the  proper  surroundings,  the  old  darky 
songs  and  tales  of  which  she  had  tried  to  give  them 
some  idea. 

1 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

The  days  rolled  around  all  too  slowly  for  the  impa- 
tient little  people,  but  at  last  they  were  off.  First  came 
the  railroad  trip,  then  the  night  ride  on  a  steamer 
down  the  great  bay,  and  in  the  morning  another  rail- 
way journey,  this  time  through  pine  woods  for  the 
most  part,  on  a  little  narrow-gage  train  whose  engim 
seemed  to  be  picking  and  choosing  its  path  and  getting 
out  of  the  way  of  the  trees  as  it  zigzagged  in  and  out 
between  them. 

They  were  met  at  the  rude  little  station  by  a  wagon 
and  a  pair  of  stout  farm-horses,  instead  of  the  carriage 
and  blooded  pair  of  other  days.  The  children  piled 
in  on  the  straw  at  the  bottom  of  the  wagon,  and  thought 
it  great  fun  to  dodge  the  uncertain  movements  of  the 
trunks  as  they  jolted  along  over  a  rather  rough  country 
road,  which  took  them  for  miles  through  the  tall,  slim, 
fragrant  pines  that  looked  so  dark  and  somber  when 
viewed  from  a  distance,  but  which  nevertheless  let  in 
plentiful  rays  of  sunlight  to  flicker  and  dance  over  the 
soft  carpet  of  brown  needles  beneath. 

It  was  almost,  sunset  before  they  came  in  sight  of 
the  house,  which  was  wholly  unpretentious  but  entirely 
comfortable,  as  was  the  case  with  many  a  plantation 
home  of  the  old  days.  Situated  on  a  slight  eminence, 
it  was  surrounded  by  a  huge  open  expanse  whose  only 
boundary  was  a  far,  dark  rim  of  pines. 

In  the  center  of  the  lawn  was  a  huge  oak  tree,  a  per- 
fect giant  of  his  race,  which  had  looked  benignantly 
down  on  the  same  family  for  a  hundred  and  fifty 
years,  old  when  the  founder  bought  the  land  from  the 
Indians,  yet  still  full  of  life  and  vigor,  bidding  fair  to 
remain  through  many  another  generation  of  the  puny 

2 


GOING   DOWN   TO   UNCLE   HENKY'S 

race  of  men.  He  towered  so  high  above  everything  else 
that  he  was  first  to  wave  a  stately  salute  to  the  rising 
sun  and  last  to  nod  a  grave  good-night  as  the  beams 
disappeared  behind  the  pine  trees.  The  morning  rays 
always  found  him,  like  some  benevolent  patriarch,  giv- 
ing shelter  to  a  little  company  of  cows  and  sheep  and 
snow-white  geese;  and  as  the  sun  slipped  gradually 
around  his  trunk  to  its  goal  in  the  west,  there  was  never 
an  hour  of  the  day  in  which  his  shady  hospitality  was 
not  claimed  by  some  living  creature,  while  the  shadow 
of  his  trunk  marked  the  flight  of  time  like  some  huge 
sun-dial  whose  face  was  half  the  lawn.  It  was  impos- 
sible to  regard  him  as  a  mere  tree;  he  made  you  think 
of  a  vigorous,  "grand  old  man",  and  after  you  had 
known  him  a  while,  he  seemed  like  an  important  mem- 
ber of  the  family. 

Dotted  about  the  lawn  were  the  various  "offices,"  and 
farther  back,  the  "quarters",  where  a  hundred  or  more 
negroes  used  to  be  lodged  in  the  old,  busy  days,  when 
everything  was  manufactured  on  the  plantation,  from 
linsey-woolsey  to  cart-wheels,  and  everything  needful 
raised,  even  the  indigo  for  dyeing  the  home-made  cloth. 

As  the  wagon  jolted  across  the  lawn,  the  children 
stood  up  and  waved  their  handkerchiefs  to  the  little 
party  assembled  in  the  front  porch.  Waiting  to  re- 
ceive them  stood  Uncle  Henry,  tall,  broad-shouldered, 
cheery  and  hearty.  There,  too,  were  the  dogs,  barking 
and  capering  and  giving  noisy  welcome,  and  a  little  in 
the  background  was  one  whom  they  could  not  fail  to 
recognize,  so  often  had  they  heard  her  described, — a  fat, 
smiling,  broad-faced  negress,  comfortable  and  sleek, 
with  eyes  beaming  and  white  teeth  shining,  Aunt 

3 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

Nancy,  their  mother's  old  "mammy".  The  children 
were  lifted  down  amid  huggings  and  kissings  from 
Uncle  Henry,  fawning  and  frolicking  from  the  dogs, 
and  lastly  Aunt  Nancy  fell  on  them  and  took  them 
to  her  ample  bosom  and  made  much  ado  over  her 
"young  Miss'  chillen". 

Presently  the  servants  began  running  to  and  fro  car- 
rying steaming  dishes  from  the  "cook-house"  to  the 
"big  house",  and  before  long  the  children  were  seated 
about  the  fine  old  mahogany  table,  which  had  dispensed 
hospitality  to  at  least  four  generations,  and  were 
eagerly  discussing  hoe-cake  and  dodger,  "egg-bread" 
and  muffin,  waffle  and  fried  chicken,  together  with  other 
staple  delicacies,  familiar  and  unfamiliar.  They  were 
waited  upon,  meanwhile,  by  "Coonie",  the  house-boy,  son 
of  Eliza,  the  cook,  who  watched  every  mouthful  taken 
with  absorbed  interest,  and  grinned  as  if  each  new 
depredation  on  the  piled-up  plates  was  a  fresh  compli- 
ment to  his  mother's  skill  in  cookery. 

When  supper  was  over  and  the  children  were  being 
put  to  bed,  Aunt  Nancy's  smiling  face  appeared  in  the 
doorway,  and  she  declared  that  she  must  have 
"anu'rr  squint  at  dem  chillen"  before  she  took  herself  off 
for  the  night.  "Blessid  lambs !"  said  she,  "de  ve'y  spit 
an*  imidge  er  dey  maw,  'scusen  de  li'l  bit  whar  favers 
dey  gran'paw  an'  ol'  Mis'  an'  dey  Uncle  Hinry.  Del- 
laws!  I  nuver  think  in  de  days  Ven  I  tucken  Miss 
Janey  on  my  knee  an'  got  her  raidy  fer  baid,  an'  den 
tuck  her  in  an'  sot  down  by  her  an'  tell  her  tales  ontwel 
she  drap  off  ter  sleep,  I  nuver  think,  naw  ma'am,  dat 
I  gwine  live  ter  see  her  wid  a  hull  passel  er  li'l  chillen 
husse'f,  naw'm,  dat  I  didn'." 

4 


GOING   DOWN   TO   UNCLE   HENRY'S 

At  the  mention  of  stories  the  children  sat  up  in  bed, 
clasping  their  arms  about  their  knees  with  chins  rest- 
ing on  top,  looking  eagerly  at  her,  like  so  many  ani- 
mated interrogation  points.  "Please  tell  us  some 
stories/'  they  begged,  and  Janey  declared  that  she  did 
not  believe  she  could  possibly  go  to  sleep  in  a  strange 
bed,  unless,  as  her  mother  used  to  do,  she  fell  asleep 
on  a  story. 

Aunt  Nancy  giggled  and  laughed  until  her  body 
rocked  from  side  to  side.  "Well,  ef  dis  ain'  de  beatenes' 
lot/'  said  she,  "ter  'mence  on  me  'bout  tales  de  ve'y 
f  us'  night  I  sot  eyes  on  'em.  Jes'  'zackly  de  way  dey  maw 
useter  kyar'  on,  fer  all  de  worP."  But  it  did  not  take 
much  coaxing  to  start  her.  Drawing  up  an  old  splint- 
bottomed  chair,  she  sat  down  between  the  two  beds  and 
announced  that  she  believed  she  would  "splunge  inter 
de  bizness"  by  telling  them  the  story  of 


ME.  FOX'S  FUNERAL 


"In  de  oF  days/'  she  began,  "dar  wnz  two  er  de 
creeturs  whar  wuz  alluz  fallin'  out  wid  one  nu'rr,  an' 
seem'  who  kin  git  ahaid  uv  tu'rr  one,  an'  settin'  all 
sawts  er  traps  an'  lay-overs-fer-ter-ketch-meddlers. 
Dese  two  creeturs  wuz  neener  mo'  ner  less  dan  Mis' 
Molly  Cotton-tail — w'ich  some  calls  'er  ol'  Molly 
Hyar' — an'  Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox.  Sometimes  one 
wuz  in  de  lead,  sometimes  tu'rr,  but  mos'  in  gin'ly 
Mis'  Molly  she  earned  out  ahaid,  fer  dat  seem  ter  be 
de  speshul  gif  er  de  ladiz,  ter  git  der  own  way  wid  der 
breens  stidder  dey  fistes.  Menfolks  is  kind  er  clumsy 
an'  lumbersome  'bout  sech  ez  dat,  an'  mos'  times  gins 
deyse'fs  erway  fo'  dey  gits  half  thu. 

"One  day  he  come  'crost  'er  w'en  she'z  right  good  an' 
tired,  settin'  in  de  broom-saidge  fiel',  down  by  de  ol' 
sawmill,  an'  he  gin  'er  chase  thu  de  woods  an'  inter  de 
swamp  an'  out  inter  de  fiel'  on  tu'rr  side,  'twel  she  wuz 
all  blown  an'  clean  stove-up.  'Oh  me !  0  my !'  sez  she 
ter  husse'f,  sez  she,  'I  reckon  dish  yer's  whar  I  gotter 
turn  up  my  li'l  toes  an'  gin  up  de  ghos',  sho'  'nuff, 
'kase  I  kain't  run  nu'rr  step,  no  use  ter  try.  Well,  I 
hope  some  nice  nigger  man  gwine  git  dish  yer  lef 
behime  foot  er  mine  an'  kyar'  hit  roun'  wid  him  ter 
keep  de  boogers  off.'  " 

Here  the  children  interrupted  to  make  inquiries 
6 


MR.    FOX'S   FUNERAL 


about  the  rabbit's  left  hind  foot,  of  whose  wonderful 
powers  they  never  had  happened  to  hear. 

"Dellaws !"  exclaimed  Aunt  Nancy,  "nuver  yearn  tell 
er  de  lef '  behime  foot  uv  a  grave-yard  rabbit  ?  Whar  you 
been  livin*  all  dese  'ears?  W'y,  dat's  de  mos'  pow'ful 
cunjer  in  de  worP.  Jes'  kyar'  dne'r  dem  in  yo'  pockit 
an'  youse  safe  ez  you  kin  be  in  dish  yer  suffering  dyin' 
worl'.  Hit  keeps  off  witches  an'  ha'nts  an'  jacky-my- 
lantums  an'  boogers  in  gin'l,  an'  hit  brings  good  luck 
an'  keeps  away  bad  luck,  an'  hit  keeps  mean,  low-down 
folks  f'um  puttin'  spells  on  you  an'  trickin'  you.  But 
hit  wu'ks  bofe  ways,  fer  ef  you  lose  dat  foot  an'  some 
one  else  gits  hit,  dey  kin  do  jes'  'bout  w'at  dey  wants 
wid  you.  An'  you  mus'n'  on  no  kyount  let  no  pusson 
teck  dat  rabbit  foot  in  han'  an'  tetch  you  wid  hit,  fer 
ef  you  do,  sump'n'  mighty  bad  gwine  happen  to  you, 
dat's  jes'  ez  sho'  ez  I'm  a-settin'  yer  runnin'  on  'bout 
dat  cunjer. 

"Now  whar  wuz  I  at  ?  Oh,  yas,  whar  Mis'  Molly  wuz 
all  tuckered  out  an'  'bout  ter  gin  up  de  game.  Well, 
jes'  den,  ez  de  luck  had  hit,  she  yearn  a  gre't  blowin'  er 
hawns  an'  a  lot  er  houn's  givin'  tongue  a  fur  ways  off, 
an'  she  knowed  dat  de  hunters  wuz  som'ers  roun',  so 
she  ga'rrd  husse'f  toge'rr  an'  putt  out  in  dat  d'reckshun, 
an'  bless  goodness  ef  she  ain'  tole  ol'  Fox  right  in  de 
midse  er  de  dogs  an'  de  bosses  an'  de  hunters,  an*  den 
she  double  an'  git  outen  de  way  in  shawt  order.  I  tell 
you,  Mistah  Slickry  Sly  had  a  mighty  clost  shave  dat 
time,  an'  he  ain'  fergive  Mis'  Molly.  He  laid  hit  up 
in  his  min'  erg'in  'er  an'  'clared  he  wuz  gwine  git  even 
wid  her  ef  he  ain'  do  anu'rr  lick  dat  winter. 

"He  set  by  de  fire  an'  study  an'  study  'bout  hit,  wid 
7 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

his  haid  on  his  han'  an'  his  jaw  drapt  open,  twel  he 
got  sort  er  run  down  an'  his  appentite  gin  out.  Mis' 
Fox  she  wuz  worrited  'bout  him,  same  time  dat  she  wuz 
putt  out  wid  him  fer  settin'  on  his  ha'nches  doin' 
nuttin'  an'  lettin'  her  dus'  roun'  atter  de  vittles.  Las', 
one  day  she  tucken  de  broom  an'  shuk  hit  at  'im,  an' 
sez  she,  'Git  outen  my  sight,  you  mis'able  shif'less 
creetur.  Ef  you  go  an'  stir  yo'se'f  roun'  an'  wu'k  a 
li'l,  hit  mought  start  yo'  blood  ter  goin'  erg'in,  an'  kyore 
you,  fer  you  done  got  a  bone  disease,  w'ieh  dey  calls  hit 
lazy-bones,  an'  I'm  a-gwineter  kyore  you  right  yer  an' 
now,  dat  I  is,  fer  I  am'  want  no  fun'l  'bout  dis  house, 
dat  I  ain',  wid  all  de  strouds  an'  de  coffins  an'  de  flow's 
an'  de  hearsts;  an'  de  vittles  whar  de  mo'ners  'stroy  at 
de  settin'-up.  Cos'  me  mo'  dan  you  uver  been  wuf,  suh.' 
An'  wid  dat  she  brought  de  broom,  ker-smack !  down  on 
Mistah  Sly-fox's  haid. 

"Wen  she  say  de  wu'd  'fun'l/  dat  gin  'im  a  idee. 
He  laid  dar  widout  movin',  lak  he  wuz  sho'-'nuff  daid, 
an'  he  let  her  pick  'im  up  'an  putt  'im  on  de  baid.  He 
laid  dar  a  w'ile  lis'nin'  at  'er  go  on,  wringin'  her  han's 
an'  cryin'  '0  lawd!  0  lawd!  w'at  a  wicked  ooman  I 
is !  Done  kilt  my  po'  sick  husban' !  W'at  I  gwine  do ! 
Oh,  mussy  me,  w'at  is  I  gwine  do !' 

"Fox  he  wuz  might'ly  tickled  an'  let  'er  run  on  a 
w'ile.  He  say  ter  hisse'f,  'Dish  yer's  whar  I  fin'  out  how 
de  ol'  ooman  gwine  'have  husse'f  w'en  she's  a  widdy.' 
Den  he  open  he  eyes  lak  he  wuz  pow'ful  fibble  an'  roll 
'em  up  in  his  haid,  an'  sezee:  '01'  ooman,  I  fergives 
you  fer  dis,  'deed  I  does.  I  kain't  'spec  ter  las'  much 
longer ;  lemme  ax  you,  bef o'  I  goes,  ter  gimme  a  decint 
fun'l,  wid  all  de  fixin's,  an'  I  want  a  sarmint  preached 


MR.    FOX'S   FUNERAL 


fer  me,  too,  ef  you  hatter  putt  off  de  preachin'  part 
fer  a  'ear,  so's't  you  kin  pay  fer  hit.  An'  I  wants  you, 
please  ma'am,  ter  'vite  all  de  nabers  ter  de  settin'-up, 
even  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail,  'kase  I  done  fergive  her, 
too,  an'  you  mus'  sen'  her  wu'd  dat  I  gwine  lay  mo' 
peace'ble  in  my  grave  ef  she'll  "come  ter  de  settin'-up. 
An'  I  wants  you  ter  have  plenty  er  vittles  fer  de 
mo'ners,  'kase  I  am'  want  no  pusson  ter  go  'way  f'um 
my  fun'l  an'  say  he's  hongry.' 

"Mis'  Fox  she  jes'  lit  out  inter  cryin'  an'  wringin' 
her  han's  erg'in,  but  she  gin  de  promuss.  She  say,  sez 
she :  '01'  man,  you  kin  die  easy,  fer  I  gin  you  de  wu'd 
uv  a  po'  widdy  ooman  dat  you  is  gwine  have  ev'ything 
dat  b'longs  wid  a  fus'-class  fun'l,  all  de  trimmin's  an' 
de  fixin's  th'owed  in,  ef  I  hatter  wu'k  my  fing-ers  ter 
de  bone  over  de  wash-tub  ter  pay  fer  'em,  you  is  so. 
Don'  you  let  dat  idee  keep  you  ling'in'  on  yer  in  taw- 
ment ;  I  done  gin  you  my  wu'd,  an'  dat  orter  be  'nuff  ter 
let  you  down  inter  de  grave  on  flow'y  baids  uv  ease, 
'deed  hit  ort.' 

"Fox  he  thanked  her,  an'  den  he  fetched  a  big  groan 
an*  rolled  over  on  his  back  an'  turnt  his  toes  up  in  de 
air  an*  lay  dar  ez  stiff  an'  start  ez  ef  de  bref  er  life 
clean  gone  outen  him.  Den  Mis'  Fox  she  wipe  her 
eyes  on  her  sleeve  an'  whu'l  in  an'  git  ev'ything  raidy 
fer  de  settin'-up.  She  kill  a  chicken  an'  bile  a  ham  an' 
cook  a  mess  er  greens,  an'  den  she  tuck  an'  sont  noration 
ter  de  nabers  ter  come  ter  de  settin'-up.  Den  she  turn  in 
an'  fix  up  de  house,  an'  las'  uv  all  she  gin  her  'tention 
ter  de  cawpse,  an'  w*en  she  git  thu  wid  'im  he  sut'n'y 
look  mo'  harnsum  dan  he  done  w'en  he  wuz  walkin' 
thu  dis  vale  er  tears.  She  sont  off  fer  de  coffin  an'  de 

9 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

flow's,  an'  w'en  de  mo'ners  got  dar  ter  do  de  settin'  up, 
ev'ything  wuz  good  an'  raidy. 

"Well,  she  gin  'em  a  good  bait  er  vittles,  an'  dey  sot 
up  endurin'  er  de  night  a-mo'nin'  an'  a-groanin'  an' 
a-dronin',  an'  ev'y  onct  in  a  w'iles  de  widdy  'ud  th'ow 
her  ap'un  over  her  haid  an'  bus'  inter  tears  an'  rock 
back  an'  fo'th  an'  kyar'  on  twel  some  er  de  men-folks 
'ud  come  an'  console  wid  'er,,  an'  den  she'd  pick  husse'f 
up  a  li'l.  Slickry  he  kep'  one  eye  an'  one  year  open, 
an'  he  ketched  her  runnin'  on  wid  Mistah  Coon  a  li'l 
an'  lookin'  at  'im  mighty  sweet  w'en  she  see  de  res' 
wan't  lookin'.  'Uh-huh!'  sezee  ter  hisse'f,  'dat's  how 
de  win'  blow,  do  hit?  'Tain'  gin  ter  ev'y  man  ter  see 
w'at  kind  er  widdy  he  gwine  leave  behime.  Eunnin' 
on  wid  ol'  Coon  right  befo'  my  face  an'  eyes!  Well 
ef  I  don'  pay  her  off  fer  dat,  my  name  ain'  Slickry  Sly- 
fox.  Widdy  indeed !  Not  fer  long,  ef  she  have  de  sesso.' 
An'  'twuz  all  he  cu'd  do  not  ter  git  up  right  den  an'  dar 
an'  pick  a  quo'il  wid  'er. 

"All  thu  de  night  de  mo'ners  kep'  hit  up,  rockin' 
back  an'  fo'th  an'  singin'  lak  dis,  m-um-ah-um-m, 
m-um-ah-um-m." 

Here  Aunt  Nancy  imitated  the  peculiarly  mournful, 
monotonous  dirge  indulged  in  by  the  negroes  at  their 
"settin'-ups,"  consisting  of  only  a  few  notes  without 
words,  hummed  through  closed  lips,  and  wailed  with 
such  persistent  dolefulness  through  the  long  night  that 
the  effect  is  indescribably  harrowing  as  well  as  melan- 
choly. Presently  she  resumed  her  story. 

"Yas,  dey  kep'  hit  up  all  night,  dough  now  an'  den 
dey'd  stop  fer  a  li'l  set-to  wid  de  vittles.  W'en  de  mawn- 
in'  come,  all  un  'em  'scusin'  one  er  two  er  de  wimmin- 

10 


ME.   FOX'S   FUNEKAL 

folks  went  home  ter  dress  fer  de  fun'l.  Long  to'des 
twelve,  yer  dey  comes  ag'in,  dress  up  in  all  de  fine  doin's 
dey  kin  lay  der  ban's  on.  I  'spec'  ol'  Mis'  B'ar  wuz 
'bout  de  fines'  one,  she  have  on  a  pink  silk  dress,  low- 
neck-an'-shawt-sleeves,  wid  a  trail  an'  a  pink  sunshade 
ter  match,  but  Mis'  Panter  run  'er  right  clost,  'kase  she 
have  on  a  white  tall'ton  wid  flounctes  f  urn  top  ter  bot- 
tom an'  bows  er  raid  ribbon  wid  streamers  behime.  De 
gemmen  all  have  on  neckties  an'  white  cotton  gloves, 
an'  raid  hank'chers  stickin'  outer  der  pockits.  I  tell 
you  dat  wuz  a  fun'l !  Dey  all  come  in  an'  dey  howdied 
a  li'l  wid  Mis'  Fox  an'  she  telled  'em  she  wuz  proud  ter 
see  'em  dar,  an'  den  she  gin  'em  cheers  an'  ev'b'dy  sot 
down. 

"Las'  some  un  say:  *I  'clar5  ter  gracious,  Sis'  Molly 
Cotton-tail  am'  corned  yit.  Wunner  w*at  mek  her  so 
late  ?  Any  you-all  seed  'er  on  de  way  yer  ?  Eeckon  she 
done  stop  ter  prink  husse'f  up.'  No  pusson  ain'  seed 
'er,  so  some  'un  say  dey  bes'  sing  a  chune  w'ile  dey  'uz 
waitin',  an'  wid  dat  dey  struck  inter  Zion  Weep  a-Low, 
an'  I  tell  you,  honeys,  dey  made  sho'-'nuff  music,  wid 
de  ladiz  kyar'yin'  de  air  an'  de  men-folks  doin'  de 
dronin'." 

Here  the  children  again  interrupted  to  ask  Aunt 
Nancy  if  she  knew  Zion  Weep  a-Low,  and  to  beg  that 
they  might  hear  how  the  creatures  sang  it  at  the  funeral 
of  Mr.  Fox.  Nothing  loath,  Aunt  Nancy  sang  it  with 
camp-meeting  fervor,  notes  long  drawn  out,  with  many 
an  "oh"  and  "ah,"  and  shakes  and  quavers  impossible 
to  describe. 

"Well,"  the  old  woman  resumed,  "dey  sung  dat 
sper'chil  plumb  thu  an'  yit  Mis'  Molly  ain'  come,  so 

11 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

dey  had  solemn  conclave  fer  a  w'ile  an*  den  de  preacher 
he  got  up  an'  cle'rd  his  th'oat  a  time  er  two  an'  'menced 
talkin'  'bout  Mistah  Fox.  He  say,  'Sinner  fren's,  I 
wanster  call  yo'  'tention  ter  dis  cawpse ;  you  kin  see  fer 
yo'se'fs  w'at  a  nice  cawpse  hit  is,  wid  real  white  gloves, 
kid,  suh,  on  de  han's,  an'  flow's  strewed  all  up  an'  down 
'im;  an'  I  wants  y'all  ter  teck  p'tickler  notuss  er  dat, 
fer  dat  gwine  1'arn  you  how  hit  pays  ter  be  hones'  an' 
indush'ous,  'kase  ef  he  am'  been  dat-a-way  he  oon  had 
no  sech  a  fun'l  ez  w'at  dis  is,  wid  me  yer  too,  inter  de 
bargum,  ter  gin  'im  a  send-off,  all  nice  an'  proper, 
w'ich  Sis'  Pox,  de  wife  er  de  diseased,  she  a-goin'  ter 
pay  me  fer  hit  on  time,  I  oon  keep  her  waitin'  fer  de 
fun'l  sarmint  twel  nex'  'ear,  naw  suh.' 

"Some  er  de  mo'ners  fetched  a  groan  an'  some  er  de 
ol'  men  an'  wimmin  'spon'  f'um  de  cornders,  Tea, 
lawd !  hones'  an'  indush'ous,  dat's  de  trufe !'  an'  Mis' 
Fox  gin  a  squeal  an'  fell  back  in  her  cheer  an'  de  fun'l 
hatter  stop  'twel  dey  cu'd  bring  'er  to  wid  a  go'de  er 
water.  Jes'  den,  who  shu'd  putt  'er  haid  in  de  do'  but 
Mis'  Molly  Hyar',  but  she  wuz  too  smart  an'  know 
Mistah  Slickry  Sly  too  well  ter  putt  her  foot  inside 
de  do'.  She  wuz  all  dress'  off  in  black,  wid  a  big  bawnet, 
an'  a  mo'nin'  veil  mo'n  a  yard  long  streamin'  down  'er 
back,  an'  she  'uz  kyar'yin'  a  big  white  hank'cher  wid  a 
black  bawder. 

"She  howdied  wid  'em  a  li'l  an'  den  she  stan'  outside 
an'  look  in  at  de  cawpse  wid  her  haid  on  one  side  an' 
her  mouf  drord  down  lak  she  'uz  mighty  'flicted  'bout 
dis,  an'  she  say,  she  do,  moppin'  her  eyes  now  an'  den 
wid  de  hank'cher,  To'  Brer  Fox,  po'  Brer  Fox!  I 
sut'n'y  nuver  'spected  ter  see  'im  lak  dis.  I  done  fer- 

12 


ME.    FOX'S    FUNEEAL 


give  'im  all  de  hard  feelin's  dat  has  pass'  betwix*  us. 
He  sut'n'y  is  a  nice  cawpse,  Sis'  Fox,  an'  one  dat  you 
gwine  be  proud  uv  all  de  res'  er  yo'  days.  I  has  on'y 
one  fault  ter  fin'  wid  'im,  an'  dat  is,  his  han's  ain'  crost; 
I  done  yearn  my  granny  say,  an'  she  wuz  a  mighty 
knowin'  ooman,  dat  de  han's  uv  a  cawpse  mus'  alluz 
be  folded,  look  lak  'tain'  a  sho'-'nuff  cawpse  lessen  de 
han's  is  crost.' 

"At  dat  oP  Mistah  Slickry  Sly  tuck  an'  slip  one 
han'  'cross  tu'rr  an'  laid  dar  lookin'  ez  innercent  ez 
a  lamb,  but,  bless  yo'  soul,  dat  'uz  'nuff  fer  Miss  Molly, 
she  knowed  den  dat  'twuz  jes'  de  way  she  'spicioned  all 
erlong,  an'  dat  Slickry  wuz  nuver  mo'  erlive  in  his  life. 
She  jes'  tucken  leg-bail  fer  her  'scape  outen  dat, 
an'  erway  she  go  wid  her  mo'nin'  veil  streamin'  out 
behime  'er  in  de  win'.  Fox  he  jumped  up  an'  upsot  de 
preacher  an'  spilt  all  de  flow's  and  tuck  atter  'er,  hard 
ez  he  cu'd  split,  but  he  was  sort  er  hilt  back  by  de  good 
clo'es  an'  de  white  kid  gloves,  an'  sidesen  dat  he  wuz 
sort  er  stiff  an'  weak  f'um  layin'  still  so  long,  wid 
nuttin'  ter  eat  inter  de  bargum,  so  he  ain'  see  mo'n  de 
een'  uv  'er  veil  gwine  roun'  a  cornder. 

"Dey  do  say  dat  fun'l  come  mighty  nigh  mekin' 
trouble  in  de  Fox  fambly,  fer  he  useter  th'ow  hit  up  ter 
de  ol'  ooman,  ev'y  now  an'  den,  dat  she  done  kyar'  on 
wid  Mistah  Coon  right  in  front  er  de  cawpse  uv  'er 
own  husban'.  But  she  knowed  how  ter  shet  'im  up ;  she 
alluz  say:  "Twant  no  cawpse!  dough  hit  orter  bin, 
seein'  all  hit  done  cos'  me.  No  'spectable  cawpse  oon 
do  no  sech  a  low-down  way,  a  mannerly  cawpse  'ud  'a 
knowed  w'at  wuz  'spected  uv  hit  an'  stayed  daid.  An' 
all  dem  mo'ners  doin'  all  dat  mo'nin'  an'  settin'  up  fer 

13 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

nuttin'!  I  boun'  you  w'en  yo'  time  sho'-'nuff  comes  I 
won't  be  able  ter  fin'  mo'ners  'miff  in  dish  yer  kyounty 
ter  burry  you  decint.  Folks  am'  lak  ter  has  der  feelin's 
disapp'inted  dat-a-way!  Don'  you  talk  ter  me,  long  ez 
we  owin'  money  on  dat  f un'l  yit !' " 


1.4 


ME.  FOX  AND  MOLLY  'HAKE  GO  FISHING 


When  Aunt  Nancy  had  finished  the  tale  of  Mr.  Fox's 
funeral  there  were  no  signs  of  sleep  in  the  bright  eyes 
fixed  upon  her  face,  and  three  piping  little  voices  hegan 
to  make  pleas  for  just  one  more  story. 

"G'long  'way  f'um  yer,"  said  she,  with  a  chuckle, 
"y'all  boun'  ter  keep  me  gwine  on  all  night,  I  sees 
dat.  Huccome  yo'  eyes  so  wide  open?  Atter  all  dat 
trabblement  you  bin  doin',  de  San'  Man  orter  bin  yer 
long  'fo'  dis.  Wa't  you  reckon  yo'  maw  gwine  say  ter 
dis  all-night  bizness  ?" 

"Oh,  she  won't  care  if  we  have  just  one  more,  will 
you,  Mamma?"  came  in  anxious  chorus.  "And  you 
know,  Mamma,"  said  Janey,  "you  used  to  do  this  way, 
too ;  you  said  you  did,  yourself." 

Mamma  stood  in  the  doorway  a  moment,  smiling  and 
convicted.  "Well,  just  one  more,  Mammy,  remember, 
only  one.  Don't  let  them  coax  you  for  another,"  she 
said  as  she  went  downstairs  to  Uncle  Henry. 

Aunt  Nancy  looked  as  pleased  as  the  children,  but 
she  made  pretense  of  being  completely  run  aground 
for  stories,  in  order  that  she  might  hear  the  little 
voices  raised  in  protest  and  entreaty. 

"Aw,  pshaw!"  said  Ned,  "I  know  better'n  that,  for 
Mamma  says  you  know  enough  stories  to  fill  a  book." 

"Well,  mebbe  I  does  an'  mebbe  I  doesn',"  said  the  old 
15 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

woman,  "but  howsomuver  dat  may  be,  my  min'  done 
let  'em  all  run  out,  same  'z  water  thu  a  sieve,  lessen 
hits  one  li'l  one  dat  kind  er  git  ketched  in  a  cornder  uv 
my  'membance.  Jes'  a  li'l  tale  'bout  de  time  w'en  Mis- 
tah  Fox  an'  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail  went  fishin'  toge'rr. 

"Atter  Mis'  Molly  done  turn  de  tables  on  'im  at  de 
fun'l,  he  kep'  on  studyin'  an'  studyin'  an'  schemin'  an' 
schemin'  ter  git  even  wid  'er.  Folks  dat  met  up  wid 
him  in  de  woods  knowed  he  wuz  up  ter  sump'n',  'kase 
he  went  trottin'  by,  not  stoppin'  long  'nuff  ter  'spon' 
howdy,  lookin'  so  knowin'  outen  dem  slant-up  eyes  er 
his'n,  wid  his  face  all  drord  up  inter  wrinkles,  dat  dey 
cu'd  see  he  wuz  plannin'  out  some  sort  er  cussishness,  an' 
dey  tuck  good  kyare  ter  keep  outen  de  way.  Even  w'en 
he  wuz  foolin'  de  dogs,  settin'  up  on  a  ol'  log  wid  his 
tongue  hangin'  out,  jes'  ez  still  'z  ef  he  wuz  daid,  so't 
dey'd  pass  'im  by,  he  wuz  studyin',  studyin'  'bout  Mis' 
Molly.  Same  way  w'en  he  went  down  ter  de  orchud 
ter  git  'im  a  chickin.  Mighty  hard  wu'k  ter  git  de 
chickins  down  f'um  de  tree,  but  still  'tain'  drive  Mis' 
Molly  outen  he  min'. 

"How  does  de  fox  git  chickins  outen  de  trees  ?  Umph, 
honeys!  dat  sut'n'y  is  a  sight  in  de  worl'!  Ef  you 
onct  see  dat  you  ain'  gwine  fergit  hit  in  a  hurry.  Well, 
one'r  dese  yer  cloudy  nights  he  comes  'long  un'need 
de  tree  whar  de  fowels  is  roostin'  an'  fin's  'em  all  fas' 
asleep,  an'  he  knows  dat  ain'  gwine  do,  'kase  dey  locks 
der  claws  tight  roun'  de  limb  an'  goes  ter  sleep,  an'  de 
claws  stay  locked  ontwel  dey  wakes  up.  He  know  he 
'bleeged  ter  rouse  'em  'fo'  he  kin  git  'im  one.  So  he 
gins  a  sharp  bark  an'  jumps  up,  an'  w'en  dey  'mence 
ter  cackle  he  'mence  ter  succle  roun'  an'  roun'  un'need 

16 


MR.  FOX  AND  MOLLY  HARE  GO  FISHING 


de  tree,  faster  an'  faster,  jumpin'  an'  barkin'.  De 
chickins  dey  turn  an'  twis'  der  haids  ter  watch  'im, 
an'  las'  some  fool  fowel  dat's  kind  er  weak  in  her  haid 
gits  so  dizzy  dat  she  jes'  draps  right  down  an'  he  gob- 
bles 'er  up  in  a  jiff.  Yassuh,«he's  a  gre't  schemer.  He 
nuver  do  anything  in  a  hurry,  jes'  plan  hit  all  out  good 
an'  den  teck  his  time  to  hit.  He  say  he  gwine  git 
even  wid  Molly  Hyar'  yit  if  it  teck  'im  twel  Chris'mus, 
an'  'twuz  gittin'  'long  to'des  dat  time  befo'  he  wuz  raidy 
f er  'er. 

"One  col'  mawnin'  he  went  streakin'  thu  de  woods, 
lif'in'  up  one  paw  an'  stoppin'  ter  lissen  fer  de  dogs 
now  an'  den,  but  de  coas'  wuz  cle'r  an'  he  kep'  on  'twel 
he  got  ter  Mis'  Molly's.  He  knock  on  de  do'  but  she 
ain'  year  'im  kase  she  wuz  busy  rockin'  two  er  de 
chillen  whar  wuz  sick,  an'  singin'  at  de  top  uv  'er 
voice  ter  drown  de  noise  de  urr  chillen  wuz  makin'  ez 
dey  racket  roun'  de  house,  playin'  boss  an'  leap-frog  an' 
ketcher,  an'  cuffin'  an'  tusslin'  'twel  oP  man  Hyar'  wuz 
'bleeged  ter  leave  de  ol'  ooman  de  bag  ter  hoi'  an'  teck 
his  pipe  an'  go  an'  set  on  de  bench  outside  de  do'  ter 
git  some  peace  an'  comfu't. 

"Mis'  Hyar'  kep'  on  singin'  at  de  top  uv  'er  voice : 

'Oh  Bunny  is  my  baby, 

Bunny  is  my  lamb, 
I  loves  my  Bunny  better 

Dan  a  gre't  big  dish  er  ham. 

'Oh  Honey  is  my  baby, 

Honey  is  my  lamb, 
I  loves  my  Honey  better 

Dan  a  gre't  big  roas'ed  yam/ 
17 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

"  <Drat  dish  yer  Bunny  an'  Honey/  sez  Fox  ter  his- 
se'f,  sezee,  Vimmin-folks  sut'n'y  does  mek  fools  er 
deyse'f  s  over  dey  chillen,  an'  meks  de  chillen  fools,  inter 
de  bargum.'  Wid  dat  he  fetched  a  big  lick  on  de  do' 
wid  his  walkin'-stick  an'  Mis'  Molly  gin  a  scream  an' 
jumped  so't  she  mos'  drapt  Bunny  an'  Honey.  She  ai 


'im  f  er  ter  come  in,  an'  she  sut'n'y  wuz  s'prise  w^en  she 
see  who  'twuz,  but  she  am'  let  on,  not  her;  dat  wan't 
her  way.  She  mek  'er  manners  an'  ax  'im  fer  ter  git  a 
cheer  fer  hisse'f ,  'kase  he  cu'd  see  dat  her  han's  wuz  full, 
an'  den  she  'mence  ter  run  on  'bout  de  wedder  same  'z 
folks  does  dese  days  w'en  dey  am'  know  Vat  else  ter 
say. 

"Fox  he  wuz  mighty  p'lite  an'  mannerly  an'  chock 
18 


ME.  FOX  AND  MOLLY  HAEE  GO  FISHING 

full  er  pooty  talk.  He  say,  "Clar'  ter  goodness,  Mis' 
Molly  Cotton-tail,  you  sut'n'y  does  look  snipshus.  'Pears 
lak  you  git  younger  an'  younger  ev'y  'ear,  you  sut'n'y 
does,  ma'am.' 

"Molly  snicker,  but  she  wan't  tucken  in  by  him.  She 
say,  'Hysh,  man !  Better  not  let  Mis'  Fox  year  you  go 
on  dat-a-way !  'Sidesen  dat,  I  knows  I  am'  no  mo'  ter 
look  at  dese  days  dan  a  lean  crow  wid  a  graveyard 
cough.' 

"  'Sho !  Mis'  Molly,'  sezee,  'you  ain'  do  yo'se'f  jestice, 
'deed  you  ain'.  I  nuver  has  see  you  lookin'  better.  I'll 
back  you  'gins'  all  de  triflin'  young  gals  roun'  dese  dig- 
gin's,'  sezee.  He  run  on  dat-a-way  ontwel  he  think  he 
got  her  good  an'  please',  an*  den  he  say,  'Mis'  Hyar*,  I 
done  call  roun'  ter  see  ef  you  oon  lak  ter  go  fishin'.  I 
knows  a  monst'ous  fine  place,  whar  de  fishes  is  thicker'n 
blackba'ies  in  a  patch,  an'  I  teck  you  right  dar  ef  you 
sesso.  'Tain'  no  fur  ways,  neener.' 

"Mis'  Hyar'  she  say,  she  do,  'Thanky,  Mistah  Slickry ; 
thanky,  suh.  I  wish  ter  gracious  I  could  go  wid  you, 
but  you  see  how  'tis.  Yer's  Bunny  an'  Honey  sick  on 
my  ban's;  real  croupyfied,  dey  is,  an'  de  urr  chillen 
cuttin'  up  lak  de  oP  Harry,  an'  all  my  wu'k  layin'  roun' 
loose.  I  'clar'  dem  chillen  gwine  run  me  'stracted. 
You  Blinker !  you  Winker !  come  yer,  bof e  un  you,  an' 
set  yo'se'fs  down  by  de  chimbly  an'  stop  dat  uverlas'in' 
scufflin' !  Jumper  an'  Thumper,  I  wants  you  ter  come 
yer  an'  shake  ban's  wid  Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox  an'  do 
lak  you  had  some  raisin',  stidder  gwine  on  wid  dat  fist- 
an'-skull-fight  right  in  front  er  de  comp'ny.' 

"De  chillen  done  lak  she  to?  'em,  an'  Fox  he  kep'  on 
'suadin*  an'  'suadin'.  Mis'  Molly  mighty  fond  er  gwine 

19 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

roun'  'joyin'  husse'f  an'  she  am'  none  too  fond  er 
housewu'k,  so  las'  she  say,  'Well,  Mistah  Sly-fox,  I 
dunno  how  in  de  worl'  I  gwine  wid  you,  'deed  I  don'. 
But  mebbe  I  kin  git  de  ol'  man  ter  look  atter  de  chillen, 
an'  ef  I  leave  plenty  er  pollygollic  an'  squilts  an'  hoar- 
houn'-an'-boneset  tea  fer  Bunny  an'  Honey,  I  reckon 
dey'll  git  on,  an'  I  kin  set  out  a  col'  snack  fer  'em  all 
'twel  I  git  back.' 

"So  she  call  de  ol'  man  ter  come  in  an*  min'  de 
chillen,  an'  I  tell  you  he  come  right  slow,  draggin'  his 
footses  an'  knockin'  de  ashes  outen  his  pipe.  She  show 
him  de  vittles  an'  gin  him  de  pollygollic  an'  squilts  an' 
de  hoarhoun'-an'-boneset  tea  an'  tol'  him  ter  dose 
Bunny  an'  Honey  ev'y  time  dey  cried.  Wid  dat  de 
chillen  all  set  up  a  turr'bl'  squall,  but  she  ain'  pay  no 
'tention,  jes'  tucken  her  shawl  an'  a  ol'  baskit  an'  putt 
out  fer  de  branch  wid  Slickry  Sly-fox. 

"On  de  way  she  say,  'Mussy  me,  Mistah  Slickry,  w'at 
we  gwine  do  fer  poles  an'  lines  ?  I  wuz  so  boddered  up, 
gittin'  'way  f'um  dem  chillen,  dat  I  ain'  think  nuttin' 
'bout  poles  an'  lines.' 

"  'Nemmine,'  sez  de  Fox,  sezee,  'I  done  tuck  kyare  er 
dat.  I  kain't  be  pestered  kyar'yin'  poles  an'  lines  back 
an'  fo'th,  so  I  keeps  'em  hid  'way  in  a  ol'  holler  tree 
nigh  de  branch.  I'll  fit  you  out  all  right,  Mis'  Molly ; 
don'  you  'sturb  yo'se'f  'bout  dat.' 

"Dey  went  'long  mighty  f  ren'ly  an'  f  amilious,  an'  ol' 
Fox  git  so  monst'ous  p'lite  dat  las'  he  say,  'I  'clar'  ter 
gracious,  Mis'  Molly,  you  mus'  'scuse  me  fer  bein'  so 
onmannerly  ez  ter  let  you  kyar'  dat  baskit.  'Tain'  fitten 
fer  a  lady  lak  you  ter  do  dat.  Please,  ma'am,  ter  lemme 
tote  de  baskit.' 

20 


MR.  FOX  AND  MOLLY  HAEE  GO  FISHING 


"Mis'  Molly  she  gin  'im  back  jes'  ez  good  'z  he  sont. 
She  say,  "Deed,  Mistah  Fox,  I  kain't  nohows  think  er 
lettin'  a  gemman  lak  you  be  seed  totin'  a  baskit;  you 
mus'n'  name  dat  ter  me  no  mo'.' 

"Fox  he  'sist  an'  'sist,  an'  Molly  she  kep'  on  makin' 
out  she  ain'  want  'im  ter  kyar'  de  baskit,  but  las'  she 
han'  hit  over  to  him,  dough  ef  dey'd  bin  anything  in  hit, 
Mis'  Molly  'd  a-seed  'im  furder  'fo'  she'd  a-let  'im  tote 
hit ;  she  done  know  'im  too  well  f er  dat. 

"Las'  dey  come  ter  de  branch,  an'  Fox  he  putt  de 
baskit  on  de  groun'  an'  sot  down  on  a  log  ter  ketch  his 
win'  befo'  he  got  ter  wu'k.  Mis'  Molly  she  wuz  honin' 
ter  begin  de  fishin',  so  she  say  dat  ef  he'll  jes'  tell  'er 
whar  de  poles  an'  lines  wuz  hid,  she'd  go  an'  fotch  'em 
an'  git  de  bait  raidy. 

"Fox  he  say,  'So  do,  Mis'  Molly ;  so  do.  Jes'  go  up  de 
branch  yonner  a  li'l  ways  an'  look  in  dat  ol'  holler 
sickymo'  dar  an'  you'll  fin'  a  lot  er  poles  an'  tackle,  an' 
you  kin  jes'  teck  yo'  ch'ice.' 

"She  went  skitin'  up  de  bank  an'  poked  'er  haid  inter 
de  sickymo'  tree,  lookin'  fer  de  poles.  Bless  goodness, 
'twan't  none  dar!  an'  w'at's  mo'  'tain'  nuver  bin  none. 
She  think  mebbe  she  done  gone  ter  de  wrong  tree,  so  she 
went  traipsin'  roun'  ter  ev'y  sickymo'  she  see  on  de  bank 
an'  git  husse'f  all  frazzle  out  widout  findin'  nair'  pole 
er  line,  w'ile  ol'  Fox  sot  up  on  de  log  smokin'  an'  laugh- 
in'  ter  hisse'f  over  Mis'  Molly  an'  de  poles. 

"Las'  she  come  back  an'  tol'  'im  dar  wan't  no  sicky- 
mo' wid  poles  inside,  an*  he  say,  he  do,  'Wat  dat,  Mis' 
Molly?  You  tell  me  you  kain't  fine  dem  poles?  I'se 
'bleeged  ter  see  dat  wid  my  own  eyes  'fo'  I  kin  b'lieve 
hit,'  an'  wid  dat  he  pull  hisse'f  up  an'  mosey  ter  de  sick- 

21 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

ymo'.  Wen  he  git  dar  he  poke  his  haid  inside  an'  den 
dror  hit  out  an'  squat  down  on  his  ha'nches  an'  drap  his 
jaw  open  lak  he'z  so  s'prise  he  kain't  talk.  Las'  he  say, 
'Well,  Mis'  Molly!  I'se  dat  flabbergasted  I  sca'cely  kin 
git  my  bref.  On'y  yist'd'y  I  wuz  yer,  an'  dem  poles  wuz 
all  safe  an'  soun',  an'  now  some  no-kyount,  consum- 
bunkshus  thief -er-de-worl'  done  bin  yer  an'  he'p  hisse'f 
ter  my  propputty.  I  wish  I  had  'im  yer  dis  minnit. 
I  'clar'  ter  you  I'd  jes'  natchelly  wear  dem  poles  out  on 
his  hide,  dat  I  would!  Seem  lak  a  half-way  decint 
pusson  orter  lef  me  jes'  one  pole  ter  putt  me  in  min' 
er  de  res'.  I  nuver  knowed  no  pusson  dat  mean  befo', 
lessen  'twuz  de  man  whar  shave  hisse'f  jes'  befo'  he  die, 
so's'ter  cheat  de  barber  outen  de  job.  Yer  you,  Mis' 
Molly,  done  come  all  dis  way  ter  go  fishin',  an'  nair'  pole 
er  tackle  fer  you.  Hit  sut'n'y  is  a  shame.' 

"Mis'  Molly  feel  kind  er  saw'y  fer  'im,  so  she  say, 
'Oh,  nemmine,  Mistah  Slickry  Sly.  I  ain'  min'  dat  so 
much,  but  I  is  sort  er  disapp'inted  not  ter  teck  home 
some  fish  ter  de  chillens,  'kase  I  know  dey  all  fixin'  dey 
moufs  fer  a  nice  mess  dis  evenin'.' 

"Fox  he  study  a  w'ile  an'  den  he  say,  'Well,  I  tell  you, 
Mis'  Hyar',  ef  you  be  willin'  ter  fish  lak  I  does,  now  an' 
den,  mebbe  we  kin  git  a  mess  fer  de  chillen  yit.  Now 
you  set  up  yer  on  de  bank  a  minnit  an'  I  show  you  dat 
ef  you  jes'  got  de  gumption,  you  kin  git  de  fish  widout 
no  tackle.  Hits  dat-a-way  in  de  fishin'  bizness,  any- 
hows ;  you  kin  have  all  de  pole  an'  line  you  wanster,  but 
ef  you  ain'  got  de  gumption  you  ain'  git  de  fish.' 

"Wid  dat  he  wag  hisse'f  down  de  bank  an'  stan'  on 
de  aidge  wid  his  nose  near  de  water,  peerin'  in,  an'  'long 
come  a  fool  young  fish  dat  ain'  know  'nuff  ter  know 

22 


MR.  FOX  AND  MOLLY  HARE  GO  FISHING 

w'at  'twuz  stannin'  styarin'  in  at  'er.  01'  Fox  ain'  move 
a  muscle  'twel  de  fish  wuz  right  beneaf  his  nose.  Den 
he  splunge  one  paw  in  an'  swipe  de  fish  out  an'  Ian'  'er 
in  de  baskit  'fo'  she  kin  flop  'er  fins  twict. 

"He  call  Mis'  Molly  down  ter  see,  an'  she  wuz  plumb 
tickelt  ter  def  wid  de  way  he  done  kotch  dat  fish.  She 
say,  'Well,  ef  uver  I  see  de  beat  er  dat  sence  I  bin  chaw- 
in'  vittles !  Mistah  Sly-fox,  I'se  'bleeged  fer  ter  git  you 
ter  1'arn  me  dat  way  er  fishin' ;  hit  beats  de  cl'  way  all 
holler.' 

"Fox  he  say,  '  'Tain'  no  trick  't  all  ter  do  dat.  All 
you  gotter  do  is  ter  putt  yo'  nose  down  in  de  water  an' 
keep  jes'  ez  still  'z  dat  rock  yonner,  an'  de  fus'  fish  you 
see  beneaf  yo'  nose,  jes'  swipe  yo'  paw  in  an'  git  'er.' 

"Mis'  Molly  she  do  lak  he  tell  'er,  an'  stan'  dar  wid 
'er  nose  poke  down  so's't  hit  tetched  de  water,  fer  ol' 
Fox  ain'  let  on  to  'er  dat  he  kep'  his  nose  jes'  outen  de 
reach  er  de  water.  She  stood  dar  an'  she  stood  dar,  but 
no  fish  ain'  come  'long,  fer  ol'  Slickry  he  keep  up  a  loud 
talkin'  an'  make  all  de  rackit  he  kin  so's'ter  scare  de 
fishes  away.  She  stan'  dar  an'  she  stan'  dar,  an'  hit  git 
'long  to'des  night  an'  turn'  colder  an'  colder,  an'  las'  Mis' 
Molly  git  tired  an'  say  she  b'lieve  she  'bout  raidy  ter  gin 
up  an'  go  home.  But  Fox  he  aig  'er  on  an'  tell  'er  not 
ter  budge,  'kase  he  sho'  dat  w'en  de  fishes  come  out  ter 
git  der  supper  dey  boun'  ter  come  dat  way.  Water  git 
colder  an'  colder  all  de  time,  an'  Mis'  Molly  'gun  ter 
shake,  an'  her  toofs  chatter  lak  she  have  de  ager.  Las' 
she  say,  '  'Deed,  Mistah  Sly-fox,  I  kain't  stan'  dis  no 
longer ;  'deed  I  kain't.  I  gotter  quit  dis  minnit  er  drap 
yer  in  my  tracks ;  dat  I  has.' 

"Fox  he  chuckle  ter  hisse'f  lak  he  know  sump'n 
23 


AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 

mighty  funny,  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Come  'long,  den,  Mis' 
Molly;  'tis  mos'  night.  I  reckon  yo'  chillen  an'  yo'  ol' 
man  be  'spectin'  you  long  'fo'  dis/  Wid  dat  he  pick  up 
de  baskit  wid  de  fish  in  hit  an'  mek  up  de  bank.  Mis' 
Molly  she  wuz  gwine  foller,  but,  bless  yo'  soul,  w'en  she 
go  ter  lif  'er  haid,  she  foun'  dat  her  nose  done  froze 
fas'  ter  de  water,  'kase  de  ice  bin  makin'  all  de  time  she 
wuz  stannin'  dar,  an'  ol'  Fox  know  dat  mighty  well 
w'en  he  call  'er  down  de  bank.  She  pull  an'  she  haul, 
an'  she  kick  an'  she  thrash,  but  'fwan't  no  use ;  dar  she 
wuz  an'  dar  she  stay. 

"Fox  he  wuz  up  de  bank  jes'  laughin'  an'  kyar'yin 
on.  He  git  so  full  er  laugh  an'  fun  dat  las'  he  tuck  ter 
chasm'  he  own  tail  roun'  an'  roun'  in  a  succle,  jes' 
'zackly  de  way  de  dogs  does.  Mis'  Molly  she  year  'im 
gwine  on,  an'  she  sing  out,  'Dat's  all  right !  You  got 
yo'  innin's  fer  onct  in  yo'  life.  High  time  you  did  done 
dat,  seem'  how  many  times  I  done  fool  you,  but  I  ses 
ter  you  dat  you  gwine  laugh  on  de  wrong  side  er  yo' 
mouf  befo'  I  gits  thu  wid  you,  sho'  ez  my  name's  Molly 
Hyar' ;  dat  you  is !' 

"She  kep'  on  twis'in'  an'  turnin'  an'  tryin'  ter  wu'k 
Jer  nose  free,  but  'twuz  long  time  'f o'  she  got  hit  a-loose, 
an'  den  she  hatter  leave  a  piece  er  de  skin  stickin'  ter 
de  ice.  W'en  Fox  see  she  wuz  onloose  he  stop  chasin' 
his  tail  roun'  an'  pick  up  de  baskit  an'  light  out  f'um 
dar  widout  stoppin'  ter  say  far'-you-well,  an'  'twuz  long 
time  'fo'  he  had  de  insurance  ter  come  whar  Mis'  Molly 
wuz. 

"  'Um'-umph !'  she  say,  ez  she  g'long  home,  'dis  sarve 
me  right  fer  bein'  sech  a  fool  'bout  fishin'.  Fishermens 
am'  got  no  sense,  nohows.  Seem  lak  de  chanct  er  gittin' 

24 


MR.  FOX  AND  MOLLY  HARE  GO  FISHING 

one'r  dem  li'l  scaly-backed  creeturs  jes'  crowds  ev'y  thing 
else  clean  outen  der  haids.  Yer  me,  no  fish,  nose  all 
skunt  up,  dish  yer  th'ee-mile  walk  bef o'  me  an'  a  hongry 
oF  man  an'  cross  chillen  at  de  een'  uv  hit.  Atter  dis  I 
gwine  stay  home  an'  do  de  eatin'  an'  let  some  un  else 
do  de  ketchinV 

"Wid  dat  she  light  out  fer  home,  wid  her  nose  jes' 
a-achin'  her  so's't  she  kain't  nohows  hoi'  hit  still.  She 
keep  a-twitchin'  an'  a-wu'kkin'  hit  ter  git  some  ease, 
but  seem  lak  she  nuver  git  clean  over  dat  spe'yunce, 
'kase  de  hyar's  been  twitchin'  der  noses  uver  sence. 
Sometimes  hit  look  lak  dey's  mekin'  faces  at  you  an' 
actin'  sort  er  scawnf ul,  but  'tain'  so ;  hit's  jes'  'kase  ol' 
Mis'  Hyar'  got  her  nose  fros'ed  dat  time  she  went  fishin' 
wid  Slickry  Sly-fox. 

"An'  now  I  gotter  quit,  fer  I  year  yo'  maw  callin'. 
Ya'am,  comin',  jes'  ez  soon  'z  I  kin  git  dese  chillen  good 
an'  tuck  up  in  baid." 


MR.  HAEE  IMITATES  MR.  BEAR 


The  next  morning,  after  breakfast,  the  children  heard 
a  strange  voice  in  the  region  of  the  back  porch  and  went 
out  to  investigate.  Aunt  'Phrony  had  come  up  to  the 
house  to  beg  for  quilt  pieces,  and  as  she  sat  on  the  porch- 
steps,  waiting  until  her  wants  could  be  attended  to,  the 
children  saw  her  for  the  first  time.  She  was  tall  and 
thin  and  very  straight,  with  high  cheek-bones  and 
piercing  dark  eyes.  She  wore  a  red  handkerchief  about 
her  neck  and  large  brass  rings  in  her  ears,  and  she 
claimed  Indian  blood,  in  proof  of  which  she  was  in  the 
habit  of  calling  attention  to  her  hair,  saying  "'twan't 
no  nigger-wool."  In  fact,  while  it  was  closely  kinked, 
its  jetty  tint  and  finer  texture  distinguished  it  from  the 
coarse  and  rusty-black  hair  of  the  pure  African  type. 
When  questioned  as  to  her  ancestry,  she  would  say,  if 
in  a  communicative  mood:  "Yas,  Mars'  Torm  done 
buyed  me  and  brung  me  up  yer  f'um  Nawf  Ca'liny. 
My  daddy  wuz  a  Nawf  Ca'liny  Injun,  a  Churryfcee,  an' 
my  mammy  she  wuz  a  slave-ooman,  dat  huccome  me  ter 
be  bawn  a  slave.  Ef  she'd  a-bin  a  Injun  an'  him  a  slave, 
den  I'd  bin  bawn  free,  'kase  de  chillen  alluz  b'longed 
wid  dey  mammy;  she  free,  dey  free;  she  slave,  dey 
slaves." 

As  Aunt  'Phrony  sat  with  folded  arms,  gazing  off  at 
the  rim  of  pines  that  formed  a  green  horizon  about  the 

26 


MR.   HARE   IMITATES   MR.   BEAR 


plantation,  she  looked  rather  forbidding,  very  different 
from  the  fat  and  laughter-loving  Aunt  Nancy.  The 
children  did  not  venture  near  until  she  pretended  to  be 
suddenly  aware  of  their  presence  and  condescended  to 
say,  "Is  dese  Miss  Janey's  •  chillen,  whar  I  done  year 
tell  'bout  comin'  down  ter  see  dey  Uncle  Hinry  ?  Come 
yer  an'  lemme  see  ef  air'  one  er  you  favers  yo'  maw. 
Huh-uh !  Nair'  one  half  ez  good-lookin'  ez  der  maw,  er 
uver  gwine  be.  But  I  dunno  ez  we  kin  'spec'  dat  f'um 
chillen  dese  days." 

Notwithstanding  this  unfavorable  verdict,  Aunt 
'Phrony  thawed  by  degrees,  and  presently  Ned  ventured 
to  ask  if  she  knew  any  tales.  She  shook  her  head. 
"Who?  Me?  Reckon  I  got  sump'n  else  ter  do  'sides 
studyin'  'bout  tales.  Wat  kind  er  tales  you  talkin' 
'bout?" 

"Why,  about  the  animals,"  explained  Janey;  "tales 
like  those  Aunt  Nancy  tells  us." 

At  the  bare  mention  of  Nancy,  Aunt  'Phrony  pricked 
up  her  ears,  for  the  two  women  were  ancient  and  im- 
memorial foes.  Plantation  gossip  said  that  Aunt 
Nancy  had  coolly  married  out  of  hand  the  very  man  on 
whom  Aunt  'Phrony  had  fixed  her  young  affections,  and 
had  never  been  pardoned  for  doing  so. 

"Dellaws !"  she  sniffed,  "dat  ooman  bin  tellin'  you-all 
tales  ?  Mis'able  ol'  nigger  tales,  I  be  boun'.  Ef  I  wan't 
gittin'  so  bad  in  my  'memb'ance  an'  so  shawt  in  de  bref 
I  cu'd  whu'l  in  an'  tell  you  heap  er  Injun  tales  whar  I 
useter  year  my  daddy  tell ;  dey  beats  all  de  nigger  tales 
uver  wuz  knowed." 

"Did  any  of  the  Indian  stories  have  a  rabbit  in 
them?"  asked  Ned. 

27 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

"Kabbit?"  said  she.  "You  mean  ol'  Hyar'?  We  am' 
call  'im  'Babbit'  yer  in  Ferginny;  jes'  'ol'  Hyar'/  er 
'Mis'  Molly  Hyar','  er  'Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail.'  De 
creetur  go  by  all  dem  names.  Dar  wuz  a  Injun  hyar' 
an'  a  nigger  hyar',  an'  de  Injun  hyar'  cu'd  do  mos'  any- 
thing de  nigger  one  cu'd,  an'  mo',  too,  inter  de  bargum." 

"Aunt  'Phrony,"  said  Janey,  who  was  a  little  diplo- 
mat, "won't  you  please  tell  us  some  of  the  things  he 
did,  so  that  we  can  see  if  he  was  anything  like  Aunt 
Nancy's  hare?" 

'Phrony's  pride  was  aroused.  Determined  not  to  be 
outdone  by  Nancy,  she  sat  for  a  while  thinking  and 
then  began : 

"In  de  ol'  times  de  Hyar'  wuz  de  bes'  known  er  de 
creeturs  an'  de  bigges'  man  uv  all,  an'  dis  huccome  so  : 
he  have  de  gif  er  mummickin'  anyb'dy  an'  ev'yb'dy, 
an*  he  go  roun'  'mongs'  de  humans  lettin'  on  he  'z  dis 
pusson  an'  dat  pusson  an'  tu'rr  pusson,  an'  doin'  all 
sorts  er  harm  an'  mekin'  all  kin's  er  mischief  dat-a-way. 
Las'  de  people  git  tired  er  dis  an'  dey  say  dey  am'  gwine 
stan'  hit  no  longer,  so  dey  git  up  a  big  hunt  an'  chase 
'im  clean  outen  dat  kyountry.  Den  he  go  'way  off  ter 
nu'rr  place,  whar  dey  ain'  know  'im,  an'  set  out  ter 
bamboozle  de  creeturs  same  'z  he  bin  doin'  wid  de  hu- 
mans, mekin'  out  he  'z  fus  one  thing  an'  den  nu'rr,  an' 
mummickin'  ev'ything  he  see  folks  do  er  year  'em  say. 
Dar  wuz  one  time  w'en  dem  smarty  ways  come  nigh 
bein'  de  def  uv  'im,  an'  dat  w'at  I  gwine  tell  you  'bout. 

"One  day  he  wuz  gwine  down  de  road,  jiggitty-jig, 
wid  one  year  turnt  ter  de  back  an'  one  ter  de  front, 
so's't  he  kain't  miss  yearin'  ev'ything  dat  go  on,  w'en 
all  ter  onct  he  seed  Mistah  Growly  Grum-b'ar  comin', 

28 


MR.    HARE    IMITATES   MR.   BEAR 


lookin'  mighty  big  an'  empawtant.  Hyar'  am'  nuver 
met  up  wid  'im  bef o'  an'  he  feel  kind  er  jubous  'bout  'im, 
so  he  scrouch  down  by  de  side  er  de  road  in  de  hopes 
Mistah  B'ar  ain'  gwine  notuss  'im.  But  B'ar  he  wall 
his  eye  roun'  an'  ketch  sight 'uv  'im,  an'  he  stop  an'  look 
down  at  'im  outen  de  cornder  uv  his  eye,  lak  Hyar'  so 
small  he  sca'cely  kin  see  'im,  an'  den  he  say,  'Souls  an' 
bodies!  who  dis  li'l  feller  skulkin'  yer  by  de  side  de 
road  ?  Is  I  uver  see  you  bef  o'  ?  I  kain't  seem  ter  'mem- 
ber hit,  but  den  I  done  knowed  so  many  creeturs  in  my 
time  dat  you  kain't  'spec'  me  ter  weight  down  my  min' 
wid  'em  all.  Co'se  dey  all  'members  me;  dey  kain't 
he'p  doin'  dat,  I  reckon,  but  dey  mus'n'  git  hu'ted  in 
der  feelin's  ef  I  kain't  kyar'  'em  all  on  my  min'/ 

"Hyar'  boun'  ter  mek  hisse'f  'greeable  ef  he  kin,  so 
he  say,  <Naw,  suh;  I  ain'  nuver  have  de  good  luck  ter 
meet  up  wid  you  befo',  but  ef  I  had,  I  cu'dden  'spec'  a 
sho'-'nuff  gemman  lak  you  is  ter  'member  no  sech  trash 
ez  w'at  I  is.  I  bin  yearin'  dis  long  time  dat  you  is  de 
bigges'  man  roun'  dese  parts,  an'  I  has  bin  might'ly  sot 
on  mekin'  yo'  'quaintance.' 

"B'ar  right  please'  wid  dat  sort  er  talkin'  an'  he  ax 
Hyar'  ter  walk  'long  wid  'im  a  w'iles  so  dey  kin  git 
'quainted.  01'  Hyar'  go  sidlin'  'long  wid  'im,  tryin' 
ter  teck  big  steps  lak  him,  mighty  'feard  dem  big  feet 
gwine  tromple  on  'im,  but  bowin'  an'  scrapin'  an'  sayin', 
'Yassuh !'  'Jesso,  suh !'  'I  b'lieve  you,  suh !'  ontwel  Mis- 
tah Growly  Grum  think  he's  Big-man-me  fer  sho'.  An' 
I  tell  y'all  chillen,  now,  dat's  de  way  ter  git  on  wid 
folks.  Jes'  you  sing  small  an'  let  dem  kyar'  de  heft  er 
de  chune. 

"01'  man  B'ar  git  mo'  an'  mo'  empawtant  an'  g'long 
29 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

puffin'  out  his  chist  an'  layin'  down  de  law  wid  one  paw 
slapped  on  tu'rr,  ontwel  dey  git  ter  his  house.  He  done 
mek  up  his  min'  by  dat  time  dat  Hyar'  wuz  de  bes' 
comp'ny  he  met  up  wid  in  a  long  time,  so  he  'vite  him 
ter  come  in  an'  have  some  dinner.  Hyar'  say  he  am* 


kyare  ef  he  do,  an'  he  go  an'  set  down  by  de  fire  w'iles 
Mistah  Growly  Grum  stir  roun'  'mongs'  de  pots  an'  de 
kittles. 

"All  de  time  dinner  wuz  eookin'  ol'  Hyar'  wuz  jes' 
a-layin'  hit  onter  Mistah  B'ar  wid  his  flattersome  talk. 


30 


ME.    HAKE    IMITATES   ME.   BEAE 

Sezee,  'Well,  you  sut'n'y  is  a  cook  f'um  'way  back.  I 
oon  b'lieve  sech  a  big  man  ez  w'at  you  is  cu'd  be  so 
handy  ef  I  ain'  see  hit  fer  myse'f.' 

"Dar  wuz  a  pot  er  peas  on  bilin',  an'  B'ar  look  roun' 
on  all  de  she'fs  fer  some  fat  ter  putt  in  wid  'em,  but 
'twan't  none  dar.  Den  he  tucken  out  a  knife  an'  sharp 
hit  up  a  li'l,  an'  ol'  man  Hyar's  heart  jump  up  in  his 
mouf  w'en  he  see  dat.  'Name  er  gracious !'  sezee  ter  his- 
se'f,  'lemme  git  outen  dis !  'Pears  ter  me  he  gittin' 
raidy  ter  kyarve  me  up  fer  de  dinner.  Jes'  my  luck! 
Stidder  gittin'  sump'n  ter  eat,  I  is  gwineter  git  et  my- 
se'f.' 

"But  B'ar  wan't  studyin'  'bout  him.  He  jes'  walk  up 
ter  de  pot  an'  cut  a  li'l  gash  in  his  neck  an'  let  de  grease 
run  inter  de  peas.  'Tain'  hu't  him  't  all,  'kase  de  b'ars 
gits  mighty  fat  in  de  fall  off'n  de  mast  whar  draps  f'um 
de  trees.  Dey  jes'  stuffs  deyse'fs  den,  so't  dey  kin  sleep 
all  thu  de  winter  widout  wakin'  up  ter  git  sump'n  ter 
eat;  lives  off'n  der  own  fat,  dey  does,  all  thu  de  col' 
wedder.  Well,  B'ar's  fat  wuz  so  monst'ous  thick  jes' 
den  dat  he  ain'  feel  de  cut,  an'  g'long  gittin'  de  dinner 
ez  ef  he  ain'  even  got  a  scratch  on  'im. 

"01'  Hyar'  wuz  might'ly  please'  an'  clap  his  ban's  an' 
kick  his  heels  on  de  cheer-rungs,  and  mek  gre't  'miration. 
He  say  'twuz  de  bandies'  'rangemint  he  uver  see,  ter 
kyar'  yo'  bacon  roun'  wid  you  in  yo'  own  hide,  an'  he 
'low  ter  hisse'f,  right  den  an'  dar,  dat  he  gwine  do  de 
same  thing  er  bus'. 

"Den  dey  drord  up  cheers  an'  sot  down  ter  de  table, 
an'  Mistah  Hyar'  'mence  gwine  on  'bout  de  dinner.  He 
say,  'You  mus'  'scuse  me  ef  I  ax  fer  nu'rr  he'p  er  dem 
peas.  I  lak  ter  look  atter  my  manners,  but  'deed  yo' 

31  " 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

cookin'  done  dniv  'em  clean  outen  my  min'.  Yo'  fat 
got  a  flavor  to  hit  dat  suit  my  tas'e  prezackly ;  'deed  hit 
have/ 

"He  run  on  dat-a-way,  an'  all  de  time  he  wuz  jes' 
a-honin'  ter  try  de  same  trick  hisse'f,  so  las'  he  tell 
Mistah  B'ar  he  gwine  gin  a  dinin'  nex'  day  an'  he  ax 
'im  will  he  come  'roun'  an'  he'p  'stroy  vittles.  He  say 
he  got  a  nice  mess  er  peas  he  gwine  treat  him  wid,  but, 
bless  yo'  soul,  de  peas  wuz  right  dat  minnit  in  his  naber- 
folkses  gyardins. 

"B'ar  he  say  he  come  ef  nuttin'  hinner,  an'  Hyar'  go 
kitin'  back  ter  steal  de  peas  fer  de  dinin'. 

"Nex'  day  Hyar'  go  out  ter  meet  Mistah  B'ar  an' 
bringed  'im  in  an'  fotched  a  cheer  an'  gin  'im  a  pipe. 
He  go  cavawtin'  roun'  de  room  lak  he's  on  springs, 
showin'  off  w'at  a  spry,  handy  man  he  wuz.  He  git  de 
peas  on  bilin'  an'  den  he  look  roun'  in  de  cubberd  fer 
de  fat.  Las'  he  say,  'Well,  I'll  be  snickered !  ef  I  ain' 
fergit  de  fat  fer  dem.  peas.  Now,  w'at  I  gwine  do? 
Kain't  gin  you  ol'  po'-trash  vittles  widout  no  grease 
in  'em.'  Wid  dat  he  ups  an'  tecks  a  knife  an'  walks 
over  ter  de  pot  an'  cuts  a  li'l  gash  in  his  neck.  Lo,  be- 
holst  you !  nair'  smidgin'  er  grease  drap  out,  but,  mussy 
me !  how  de  blood  done  spurt  all  over  de  ha'th,  an'  li'l 
mo'  he'd  bin  a  goner  ef  Mistah  B'ar  ain'  bin  dar  ter  bine 
him  up  an'  doctor  him  atterwu'ds.  B'ar  wuz  a  right 
smart  uv  a  doctor  in  dem  days,  fer  he  spen'  so  much 
time  out  in  de  laurel  dat  he  know  all  'bout  yarbs  an' 
sech  ez  dat. 

"W'en  Hyar*  wuz  on  his  f ootses  ag*in,  gwine  roun'  de 
house  mighty  limp  an'  low-down-in-de-valley,  Mistah 
B'ar  gin  him  a  sho'-'nuff  tongue-lashin'.  Sezee,  'You 

32 


ME.   HAEE   IMITATES   ME.   BEAE 

moughter  knowed  dey  wan't  no  grease  in  a  mis'able  lean 
creetur  lak  you  is.  Yer  I  is,  all  fat  up  fer  de  winter; 
dat  de  time  w'en  I  gotter  lay  roun'  an'  snooge  an'  have 
no  chanct  ter  pick  up  vittles.  But  you  is  on  de  go, 
keepin'  de  paf  hot  f'um  'ear's  een'  ter  'ear's  een.  I  lak 
ter  know  how  you  'spec's  ter  lay  up  fat  ?  Wat  mek  you 
think,  anyhows,  dat  you  kin  do  de  same  ez  me,  you 
po'  li'l  knee-high-to-a-hoppah-grass  ?  TJm-umph!  w'at 
sort  er  worl'  dish  yer  be  ef  all  mens  kin  do  de  same 
things  ?  You  bes'  g'long  now  an'  'tend  ter  yo'  own  biz- 
ness,  an'  set  dis  down  in  yo'  'memb'ance,  dat  dar  am' 
no  pusson  mek  mo'  mistakes  er  git  mo'  laugh  at  dan  de 
man  whar  tries  ter  be  tu'rr  folks  stidder  bein'  hisse'f. 
You  year  me  talkin'.' " 


33 


THE  FRIENDSHIP  OF  ME.  BEAR  AND  MIS' 
TURKEY 

"Well/'  said  Ned,  when  Aunt  'Phrony  had  finished 
the  story  of  how  the  hare  imitated  the  bear,  "I  always 
thought  that  bears  were  cross  and  ate  people  up.  I 
should  think  the  hare  would  have  been  afraid  to  have 
him  doctor  him.  I  wouldn't  want  any  old  bear  to  come 
fooling  around  me." 

"Who'feard?  Hyar5?  Him!  Naw,  suh !"  said  Aunt 
'Phrony,  "he  ain'  knowin*  w'at  'tis  ter  be  'feard  er 
anything  in  dis  'varsil  worl'.  Sidesen  dat,  I  done  tol' 
you  he  sof'-sawder  ol'  Mistah  B'ar  an'  gin  'im  'nuff 
sweet  talk  ter  fill  a  honey-gum.  But  Hyar'  he  wuz  mo' 
diff'nt  f'um  tu'rr  creeturs.  'Twan't  safe  fer  de  res'  un 
'em  ter  fool  wid  Mistah  B'ar;  'deed  hit  wan't.  Dat 
putt  me  in  min'  er  de  time  w'en  Mis'  Tukkey  think  she 
gwine  mek  f ren's  wid  'im,  an'  dis  how  hit  happen : 

"B'ar  useter  live  in  de  low-groun's  an'  wu'k  fer  his 
livin'  same  'z  tu'rr  folks,  but  atter  w'iles  he  git  tired  er 
dat,  an'  sezee,  'I  jes'  'bout  b'lieve  I  gwine  quit  wu'k  an' 
go  whar  I  kin  git  me  'nuff  ter  do  me  widout  usin'  so 
much  elber-grease  in  de  gittin'.  W'at  de  use  er  livin', 
anyhows,  ef  you  gotter  spen'  all  yo'  time  dustin'  'roun' 
atter  sump'n  jes'  ter  keep  de  bref  er  life  in  you  ?  Naw, 
suh !  'tain'  wuf  de  w'ile,  lessen  you  kin  do  a  lot  er  restin' 
up  an'  have  some  fun  inter  de  bargum.' 

"So  he  g'long  off  up  inter  de  big  mountains  an'  hide 
34 


MR.  BEAR  AND  MIS'  TURKEY 


hisse'f  erway  in  de  laurel  an'  res'  an'  sleep  jes'  w'en  he 
feel  lak  hit,  an'  de  baluns  er  de  time  go  romantin'  up 
an'  down  de  mountains  kind  er  slow  an'  lazy,  sort  er 
studyin'  whar  he  gwine  putt  his  foot  down  nex',  'joyin' 
hisse'f  might'ly,  widout  doin'  no  wu'k  't  all,  jes'  pickin' 
up  sump'n  ter  eat  ez  he  trabel  'long,  an'  dat  wan't  hard. 
He  'uz  'tickler  fond  er  'lasses  an'  sweet  apples,  'kase  he 
got  a  mighty  sweet  toof,  but  honey  wuz  de  dish  w'at  hit 
'im  in  de  bull's-eye  an'  go  ter  de  right  spot  ev'y  time. 
He  wuz  willin'  ter  trabel  miles  ter  fin'  'im  some  honey, 
but  ef  he  kain't  fin'  any,  den  de  nex'  bes'  thing  wuz  a 
mess  er  raid  ants.  He'd  sleep  all  day  long  on  er  ridge 
in  de  wo'm  summer  days,  but  ef  nu'rr  b'ar  come  dat-a- 
way  an'  fetched  'im  a  li'l  tap  in  his  sleep,  he'd  r'ar  up  on 
his  behime  laigs  an'  den  dey'd  have  hit,  fer  all  de  worl' 
lak  dese  yer  prize-fighters,  boxin'  an'  cuffin',  an'  wres'lin' 
'twel  one'r  dem  wuz  th'own.  Den  tu'rr  un  'ud  grab  'im 
by  de  th'oat  an'  growl  an'  growl  'twel  you'd  'a  thought 
he  'z  gwine  eat  'im  up,  but  pres'n'y  he'd  onclinch  an'  let 
'im  go  wid  one  las'  growl  ter  tell  'im,  'You  better  not 
fool  wid  me  erg'in,  suh.' 

"He  live  'long  dat-a-way,  eatin'  an'  sleepin',  wid  a 
li'l  walkin'  an'  fightin'  th'owed  in,  'twel  one  day  he  met 
up  wid  a  li'l  oP  fool  wiP  tukkey.  She  was  mincin'  an' 
tippin'  'long,  fer  all  de  worl'  lak  dat  no-kyount  gal  er 
Aunt  Nancy's  w'en  she  git  on  her  Sunday  clo'es. 

"Pres'n'y  she  see  Mistah  B'ar,  an'  stidder  bein'  'feard, 
lak  she  orter  bin  ef  she  had  a  grain  er  sense  in  dat  li'l 
oP  haid  er  her'n,  she  'mence  ter  mek  gre't  'miration. 
He  look  so  big  an'  strong  she  think  he  mus'  be  a  mon- 
st'ous  fine  man,  an'  dar  whar  she  git  fooled,  lak  lots  er 
wimmins  I  bin  knowin'. 

35 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

"She  hop  up  in  front  er  him  an'  say, '  'Sense  me,  Mis- 
tah  Growly  Grum,  suh,  ef  I  axes  you  ter  stop  a  minnit 
an*  lemme  look  at  you.  Lan'  er  de  livin' !  I  nuver  is 
see  a  man  tall  ez  w'at  you  is.  An'  how  big  an'  strong 
you  looks,  an'  dat  long  brown  fur  you  wears  on  yo'  hide 
sho'  is  harnsum.  Please,  suh,  lemme  walk  'long  wid 
you  li'l  ways  an'  look  at  you  some  mo'  ?' 

"B'ar  kind  er  growl  sump'n  nu'rr  way  down  in  his 
th'oat  an'  she  tucken  hit  fer  yes  an'  go  tippin'  an' 
mincin'  'long  mo'  wusser  dan  befo',  mighty  proud  ter 
let  tu'rr  folks  on  de  mountain  see  'er  in  sech  comp'ny. 
Wen  dey  git  ter  Mistah  B'ar's  house,  she  stick  her  haid 
in  de  do'  an'  w'en  she  see  all  de  dirt  an'  de  mess,  for  he 
wuz  too  mawtal  lazy  uver  ter  clean  up  de  house,  she 
say,  she  do,  'Oh,  me!  oh,  my!  Mistah  Growly  Grum- 
b'ar,  you  sut'n'y  does  need  a  ooman  ter  look  atter  you 
an'  cook  yo'  vittles  an'  tidy  up  de  house.  Please,  suh, 
ter  lemme  stay  an'  wu'k  fer  you,  an'  de  on'ies'  thing  I 
ax  is  de  priv'lidge  er  settin'  an'  lookin'  at  you  w'en  I 
isn'  busy.' 

"B'ar  say  ter  hisse'f,  'Dish  yer  a  sho'-'nuff  bawn  fool, 
but  mebbe  she  kin  wait  on  me,  so  I  reckon  I  let  her  stay, 
fer  a  w'ile,  anyhows.' 

"So  he  say  to  'er,  'Well,  Mis'  Tukkey,  sence  you  is  so 
pow'ful  sot  on  hit,  I  s'pose  you  kin  stay;  but  you  mus'n' 
look  at  me  too  often,  'kase  I  am'  use  ter  bein'  styar'd 
at  an'  I  dunno  w'at  I  mought  do  ef  I  got  riled.' 

"Mis'  Tukkey  say  she  do  'er  lookin'  w'iles  he'z  ersleep, 
so  he  tell  er  ter  stay  ef  she  wanter. 

"Den  she  whu'l  in  an'  clean  up  de  house,  an'  cook  'im 
a  good  dinner,  an'  w'en  he  tucken  a  nap  she  git  'er  a 


36 


MR.  BEAR  AND  MIS'  TURKEY 

li'l  bush  an'  keep  de  flies  offen  him,  an'  set  an'  look  an* 
look  ez  ef  she  ain'  nuver  gwine  see  'im  erg'in. 

"She  kep'  hit  up  dat-a-way  fer  so  long  time,  an'  git 
wusser  an'  wusser  'bout  him  ev'y  day  ontwel  at  las'  she 
dunno  how  in  de  worP  she  gwine  keep  f  um  lookin' 
at  'im  w'iles  he  wuz  'wake. 

"Now  B'ar  he  had  de  fashion  er  gwineter  sleep  ev'y 
day  'bout  de  time  he  'mence  ter  git  a  li'l  hongry,  an' 
so  he  wuz  mighty  ap'  ter  dream  'bout  sump'n  nu'rr  ter 
eat,  an'  w'atsomuver  he  dream  'bout,  dat  de  thing  he 
'bleeged  ter  have  w'en  he  wake  up,  an'  he  alluz  g'longed 
out  an'  got  hit. 

"Mis'  Tukkey  fin'  dis  out,  so  ev'y  day  w'en  he  wake 
up  she  step  to'des  'im  an'  say,  'Mistah  Growly  Grum, 
Mistah  Growly  Grum,  w'at  you  done  dream  'bout  dis 
time?  Please  fer  to  tell  me,  suh,  so  I  kin  know  w'at 
fixin's  ter  git  raidy  ter  go  wid  hit  fer  dinner.' 

"B'ar  he  'ud  tell  her,  an'  den  go  'way  an'  git  w'at- 
somuver hit  mought  be. 

"Mis'  Tukkey  git  so  sot-up  on  kyount  er  'sociatin'  wid 
Mistah  B'ar  dat  tu'rr  creeturs  cu'd  sca'cely  putt  up  wid 
her  foolishness,  but  w'en  dey  talk  hit  over  dey  alluz 
tell  one  nu'rr  dat  sump'n  'bleeged  fer  ter  happen  ter 
teek  down  her  fedders. 

"I  done  tol'  you  she  git  mo'n  mo'  sot  on  Mistah  B'ar, 
an'  kep'  squintin'  at  'im  'roun'  de  cornders  an'  cuttin' 
her  eye  at  'im  w'en  he  wan't  lookin'  ontwel  de  wunner 
is  dat  he  ain'  ketch  'er  long  befo'.  But  his  eyes  wuz 
set  so  clost  toge'rr,  same  ez  wid  all  de  b'ars,  dat  hit 
mek  him  near-sighted,  an'  ef  he  see  you  a  li'l  piece  off 
he  ain'  kin  tell  you  f'um  a  stump.  But  Mis'  Tukkey 


37 


AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 

git  so  owdacious  dat  atter  w'iles  he  do  ketch  'er,  an'  he 
soon  git  tired  uv  her  an'  her  foolishness.  He  ain' 
sayin'  nuttin',  'kase  he  wan't  knowin'  jes'  w'at  he  gwine 
do  'bout  hit.  Las',  one  day,  he  see  her  lookin'  at  him  jes' 
ez  he  wuz  wakin'  up  f  um  his  nap. 

"She  walk  up  ter  him,  same  'z  alluz,  an'  say,  'Mistah 
B'ar,  Mistah  B'ar,  w'at  you  done  dream  'bout  dis  day?' 
An'  dat  minnit  hit  come  inter  his  haid  dat  he  gwine 
fix  'er  den  an'  dar. 

"He  strotch  hisse'f  a  li'l  lak  he  wan't  quite  thu  wid 
his  nap  an'  den  he  eye  'er  up  an  down  an'  he  say,  'Mis' 
Tukkey,'  sezee,  'you  is  growed  tol'ble  plump  an'  fat,  I 
see,  sence  you  bin  stayin'  in  my  house  an'  quit  yo' 
runnin'  up  an'  down  de  mountains.' 

"Mis'  Tukkey  kind  er  snigger  an'  look  down,  'kase 
she  mighty  please'  ter  have  him  notuss  'er.  'Yassuh,' 
sez  she,  'I  b'lieve  I  is  growed  mo'  plumper  dan  w'at  I 
wuz.' 

"  Tas,  ma'am  !  you  sho'ly  has  fat  up,'  sezee,  'an'  now 
I  ax  you  dis,'  sezee,  'ain'  I  tucken  you  in  my  house  an' 
fed  you  an'  gin  you  shelter,  an'  ain'  you  promuss  dat 
you  oon  look  at  me  'scusin'  w'en  I  wuz  sleepin',  an'  isn' 
•you  done  bruk  yo'  wu'd  ?' 

"Mis'  Tukkey  she  stannin'  on  one  foot  lookin'  mighty 
oneasy,  an'  she  say,  she  do:  "Deed,  Mistah  B'ar,  you 
mus'  'scuse  me  dis  time,  'deed  you  mus',  'kase  I  kain't 
he'p  hit,  'deed  I  kain't.' 

"Den  he  riz  up  f'um  whar  he  wuz  layin'  an'  he  say, 
way  down  deep  in  his  th'oat  jes'  ez  growly  ez  he  kin, 
'You  mus'  'scuse  me,  too,  Mis'  Tukkey;  I  kain't  he'p 
myse'f,  'deed  I  kain't.  You  ax  me  w'at  is  I  dream,  I 
tells  you  I  done  dream  "tukkey,"  an'  you  knowin'  me 

38 


ME.   BEAR   AND   MIS'   TTJEKEY 

well  'nuff  ter  know  dat  w'en  I  dream  tukkey  I  'bleeged 
ter  eat  tukkey/  an'  wid  dat  he  fell  'pun  'er  an'  she 
scuffle  some  an'  de  fedders  flew'd  'roun'  a  li'l  an'  den 
ev'ything  mighty  quiet,  'kase  she  done  gone  whar  she 
cu'd  see  de  inside  er  Mistah  B'ar  stidder  de  outside.  De 
creeturs  whar  she  bin  puttin'  on  airs  wid  say  hit  sarve 
'er  right  fer  tryin'  ter  keep  comp'ny  wid  'er  betters." 


"I  think  that  was  a  real  mean  old  bear  to  eat  her  up 
after  she  waited  on  him  and  did  so  much  for  him,  don't 
you,  Aunt  'Phrony  ?"  said  Janey. 

"Laws-a-mussy,  chil',"  said  Aunt  Throny,  who  had 
had  unfortunate  matrimonial  experiences,  "w'en  you  is 
ol'  ez  w'at  I  is,  mebbe  you'll  fin'  out  dat  ef  a  man  wants 

39 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

ter  git  shed  uv  a  ooman,  he  am'  gwine  think  'bout  w'at 
she  been  doin'  fer  'im,  he  jes'  fergit  ev'y thing  'ceptin' 
dat  he  do  wanter  git  shed  uv  'er,  dat's  'nuff  fer  him, 
an'  he  don'  let  dat  outen  his  min'  ontwel  he  done  finish 
de  bizness. 

"Seem  ter  me  I  year  yo'  maw  callin'  me,  an'  I  reckon 
I  bes'  mosey  'long  upstairs  ef  I  'spec's  ter  git  me  any 
quilt-pieces  dis  day." 


40 


THE  TOAD,  THE  GEASSHOPPER  AND  THE 
ROOSTER 


Aunt  Nancy  lived  in  a  little  cabin  on  the  edge  of  the 
woods,  not  far  from  the  "big  house."  The  children 
were  not  long  in  finding  her  whereabouts  and  in  making 
the  acquaintance  of  her  granddaughter,  Gassy,  an  over- 
grown girl  of  seventeen,  who  was  just  beginning  to  have 
what  Aunt  Nancy  called  "fool  notions"  about  dress 
and  beaux;  and  also  that  of  her  dog,  Bouncer,  a  lean, 
hungry  and  disreputable  hound  by  whom  she  set  much 
store  on  account  of  his  pedigree  and  "p'ints."  Just  what 
his  valuable  points  were,  no  one  but  Nancy  had  ever 
been  able  to  discover,  though  many  a  neighbor  whose 
evening  meal  had  been  snatched  in  a  twinkling  beneath 
his  very  eyes  could  bear  witness  to  points  which  were 
considered  distinctly  undesirable. 

The  little  cabin  was  scrupulously  clean  within  and 
held  many  things  which  the  children  had  never  seen 
before — the  gay  patch-work  quilts  on  the  beds,  the 
strings  of  red  peppers  hanging  from  the  rafters,  the 
curious  old  salt-gourd,  polished  and  dark  as  mahogany 
from  years  of  service.  The  path  and  dooryard  were 
swept  clean,  and  at  one  side  was  a  little  garden  in 
which  flourished  homely  old-fashioned  flowers,  mari- 
gold, zinnias,  larkspurs,  princess'  feather,  cockscomb 
and  hollyhocks,  hardy  and  gay,  needing  no  coaxing  to 

41  " 


cheer  these  humble  folk  with  their  coarse,  bright  beauty. 
Next  to  Bouncer  in  Aunt  Nancy's  affections  were  her 
precious  "posies";  Gassy  had  to  content  herself  with 
third  place.  The  little  people  fell  into  the  habit  of 
paying  frequent  visits  to  this  cozy  spot,  always  finding 
a  warm  welcome  from  Aunt  Nancy  and  often  getting 
the  treat  of  a  story  besides.  The  first  time  they  visited 
her  she  celebrated  the  occasion  by  relating  certain  do- 
ings of  the  toad,  the  grasshopper  and  the  rooster. 

"I  reckon  dar  wan't  no  mo'  livelier  creeturs  in  de 
ol'  times,"  she  began,  "dan  w'at  dem  th'ee  wuz.  Mis' 
Hoppah-grass,  w'icht  some  un  'em  called  her  'Mis'  Pop- 
eyes/ 'long  er  her  bulgy  eyes,  she  wuz  a  gre't  darnser, 
darnse  roun'  in  de  grass  all  day  long,  an'  dar  wuz  some 
talk  er  havin'  'er  up  befo'  de  meetin'  'longer  her  triflin' 
ways.  Toad-frog  he  spen'  all  his  time  gwine  huntin' 
atter  bugs  an'  sech,  an'  de  way  he  git  roun'  over  de 
groun'  wuz  a  caution  ter  snakes.  He  ain'  stop  ter  walk, 
jes'  natchully  lipt  up  f'um  one  place  an'  went  ker-swish ! 
thu  de  air  an'  lit  on  de  nex'  place.  I  let  you  know  he 
wuz  a  soople  man  in  dem  days,  dat  he  wuz.  He  wuz  a 
curisome  sort  er  creetur,  anyways.  Jes'  lak  de  toad-frogs 
dese  days,  he  had  two  little  bags  er  white  juice  right  back 
uv  his  eyes,  an'  ef  anything  got  atter  'im  er  tried  ter 
ketch  'im,  he  jes'  spurted  dat  juice  right  out  on  'em  an' 
dey  wuz  glad  ter  let  him  'lone.  You  kain't  'suade  no  dog 
ter  tackle  a  toad,  he  ain'  wanter  git  dat  p'ison  sprinkelt 
on  'im.  Toad-frog  he  wuz  p'tickler  'bout  his  dress,  too ; 
git  'im  a  new  suit  er  clo'es  ev'y  now  an'  den,  jes'  lak 
de  toad-frogs  does  now.  Pus'  dey  'mence  splittin'  up 
de  back  an'  den  dey  know  hits  time  ter  pull  off  de  ol' 
clo'es,  w'icht  dey  skins  'em  down  over  der  legs  jes'  lak 

42 


THE   TOAD   AND   THE   EOOSTEE 


Mars'  Ned  do  his  li'l  trousers,  an'  dey  pulls  an'  hauls, 
usin'  der  moufs  ter  he'p  pull,  an'  w'en  de  ol'  clo'es  is 
off  dey  rolls  'em  up  in  a  bunnel  an'  jes'  natchully  swol- 
lers  'em,  dat  dey  does;  I  done  seed  'em  wid  my  own 
eyes. 

"Chicken-roostah  he  wuz  a  monst'ous  fine  puffawmer 
wid  his  voice ;  he  ain'  do  much  but  practuss  hit,  an'  he 
wuz  dat  proud  he  kain't  wait  fer  de  daylight,  but  git 
up  early  in  the  mawnin'  an'  wake  tu'rr  folks  long  'fo' 
day  singin' : 

'Cock-a-doodle-deedle-doo, 

I  kin  sing  mo'  loud  dan  you, 

Cock-a-deedle-doodle-dee, 

Git  up  an'  lissen,  -folks,  ter  me!' 

"I  ain'  hatter  tell  you  dat  folks  wan't  likin'  'im  any 
too  well,  'kase  he  alluz  'mence  his  singin'  jes'  'bout  de 
time  w'en  dey  wants  ter  turn  over  an'  have  nu'rr  li'l 
snooge.  Sidesen  dat,  dey  think  he'z  a  kin'  uv  a  ol' 
hypermocrit,  'kase  he  sa'nter  'long  wid  Mis'  Hen  an* 
de  chillens,  'tendin'  lak  he'z  he'pin'  scratch  fer  de  livin', 
an'  de  on'ies  thing  he  do  wuz  ter  light  in,  w'en  Mis' 
Hen  gin  a  cackle  ter  say  she  done  foun'  a  bug  er  a 
wu'm,  an'  snatch  hit  way  f'um  'er  'f o'  she  kin  say  Jack 
Robumsum. 

"Atter  w'iles  dey  git  tu'rr  creeturs  down  on  'em, 
'long  er  all  der  singin'  an'  darnsin'  an'  no-kyount,  shif- 
less  ways,  an'  w'en  dey  see  dat,  dey  think  mebbe  hit 
time  ter  turn  over  a  new  leaf  an'  whu'l  in  an'  'arn  der 
livin'.  So  dey  git  toge'rr  an'  have  a  confab  an'  mek 
up  der  min's  dat  dey  gwine  run  a  farm  in  cahoots. 

43 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

Roostah  he  wuz  'p'inted  ter  be  de  plow-ban',  dat  'kase 
he  have  sech  strong  claws  jes'  fitten  fer  ter  scratch  up 
de  groun'  wid;  Toad-frog  he  wuz  ter  be  de  hoe-han', 
an'  Mis'  Hoppah-grass  she  wuz  ter  stay  home  an'  do 
de  cookin'  an'  look  atter  de  house. 

"Dey  'vide  de  'vidjun  er  de  wu'k  dis-a-way  fer  so 
long  time,  an'  dey  git  on  mighty  well  an'  wuz  might'ly 
please',  'kase  de  new  wan't  rub  off  yit,  but  pres'n'y  Mis' 
Hoppah-grass  she  git  kind  er  tired  an'  lazy,  fer  she  ain' 
nuver  do  a  lick  er  work  befo'  in  all  her  bawn  days. 
She  drap  de  skillit  an'  fall  back  in  a  cheer  an'  putt 
her  footses  on  a  stool  an'  tie  her  haid  up  in  a  hank'cher 
an'  say  she  feelin'  so  ailified  dat  she  know  she  in  fer 
a  spell  er  sickness,  but  dey  neenter  sen'  fer  de  doctor, 
'kase  she  sho'  she  gwine  die,  anyhows,  an'  she  wanter 
teck  her  own  time  to  hit  an'  not  be  hurried  inter  de 
nex'  worF  by  all  dat  truck  he  mek  folks  swoller.  She 
mought  'z  well  die  easy,  she  say.  She  talk  'bout  de 
doctor  plumb  scannelous,  'kase  she  ain'  want  him  ter 
come  dar  an'  let  out  de  news  dat  de  on'ies  thing  w'at 
ail  her  wuz  laziness. 

"Den  she  clim'  up  on  de  baid  an'  laid  dar  groanin' 
an'  kyar'yin  on,  an'  de  men-folks  stan'  roun'  an'  look 
at  'er  a  w'ile,  sort  er  he'pless,  an'  den  dey  ses,  'Well,  I 
reckon  dar  ain'  nuttin'  we-all  kin  do,'  an'  dey  g'long  off 
ter  wu'k.  Roostah  he  wuz  plowin'  in  a  fur  fiel'  an' 
Toad-frog  he  wuz  hoein'  near  de  house,  so  dey  'gree  dat 
he  better  git  dinner.  Dat  huccome  he  hatter  do  de 
hoein'  an'  de  cookin'  an'  tidy  up  de  house,  let  'lone 
waitin'  on  Mis'  Hoppah-grass;  she  fin'  sump'n  fer  'im 
ter  do  ev'y  five  minnits  endurin'  er  de  day. 

"Dey  kep'  hit  up  dat-a-way  ontwel  he  wuz  wo'n  ter 
44 


THE   TOAD   AND   THE   BOOSTER 

a  frazzle,  an'  he  say  he  'bleeged  ter  have  sump'n  er 
ru'rr  ter  churr  him  up  an'  drive  de  tire  away.  'Bout 
dat  time  he  earned  'cross  de  rim  uv  a  ol'  meal-sifter  an' 
dat  putt  a  notion  in  his  min'.  He  tucken  de  rim  an' 
strotch  a  piece  er  sheepskin  over  hit,  an'  den  he  got 
him  a  piece  er  fence-rail  an'  whittle  hit  down  an'  fasten 
hit  on  de  rim.  Pres'n'y  he  fin'  a  ol'  cow-hawn  an'  he 
wu'k  dat  up  inter  pegs,  an'  den  he  git  him  some  cat- 
gut strings  an'  strotch  'em  'cross  de  sifter.  Den  he  screw 
'em  up  wid  de  cow-hawn  pegs  'twel  he  git  'em  in  chune 
an'  las'  he  swipe  one  han'  'crost  de  strings,  an'  suz !  she 
'mence  ter  talk,  an'  'twuz  a  sho'-'nuff  banjer !  one'r  dem 
reg'ler  ol'  plinketty-plunketty  nigger  banjers  whar  got 
mo'  git-up-an'-git  to  'em,  w'en  it  come  to  de  marter  er 
foot-shakin',  "dan  any  er  dese  yer  shiny,  primp-up  ban- 
jers whar  hangs  in  de  sto'  winders  an'  tries  ter  git 
folks  ter  walk  in  an'  buy  'em.  Nigger  know  better'n 
dat! 

"W'en  Mistah  Toad-frog  git  de  banjer  chune  up  jes' 
'zackly  ter  suit  'im,  he  set  outside  de  do'  ev'y  day  w'ile 
de  dinner  cookin'  an'  pick  dese  yer  darnsin'  chunes 
whar  mek  even  chu'ch  members  feel  lak  dey  jes'  nat- 
chully  'bleeged  ter  git  up  an'  knock  time  wid  der  f  ootses. 
One  day  w'ile  he  wuz  pickin',  he  think  he  year  a  soun' 
er  darnsin'  on  de  flo'  inside.  'Day  er  grace !'  sezee,  'is 
my  years  done  trick  me,  er  is  dat  darnsin'  ?  Kain't  be 
Mis'  Hoppah-grass,  'kase  she  too  po'ly.  Hit  'bleeged 
ter  ~be,  dough,  fer  she's  de  on'ies  pusson  in  dar.'  He  stop 
playin',  darnsin'  stop;  he  go  on,  darnsin'  go  on.  He 
putt  his  year  down  an'  lissen  at  de  banjer  ter  see  ef 
anything  rattle, — banjer  she  wu'kkin'  all  right,  den  he 
know  'twuz  Mis'  Hoppah-grass.  He  am'  let  on,  an'  he 

45 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

wait  on  'er  jes'  de  same,  but  w'en  Chickin-roostah  come 
home,  Toad-frog  tucken  him  off  a  li'l  ways  an'  he  say, 
'Mistah  Eoostah,  w'en  you  comes  ter  dinner  to-morrer, 
don'  you  git  up  on  de  fence  an'  crow  lak  you  bin  doin' 
ter  lemme  know  hit's  time  ter  dish  up  de  vittles ;  stidder 
dat,  you  creep  up  sof'ly  w'iles  I  pick,  an'  peek  in  thu 
de  do'.' 

"  'Well,  befo'  de  king !'  sez  de  Eoostah,  sezee,  'wa't's  in 
de  win'  now,  Mistah  Toad-frog?' 

"  'Nemmine,'  sez  de  Toad-frog,  'you  g'long  an'  do  lak 
I  tells  you,  an'  I  boun'  you  see  a  sight  f  er  sore  eyes.' 


"So  de  nex'  day  w'en  Eoostah  come  home  ter  dinner, 
stidder  crowin'  ter  say  he  be  dar  soon,  he  crope  up  ter 
de  do'  an'  peeked  in  thu  de  crack  w'ile  Toad-frog  pick 
de  banjer  'twel  she  plumb  talk,  an'  wish't  I  mought  die ! 

46 


THE    TOAD    AND    THE    EOOSTEE 


ef  dar  wan't  Mis'  Hoppah-grass,  darnsin'  roun'  de  room 
jes'  ez  well  'ez  she  uver  wuz.  She  caper  an'  she  twis'  an' 
she  turn  an'  she  do  de  back-step  an'  cut  de  pigeon-wing 
an'  wound  up  wid  de  double-shuffle.  Las'  uv  all  she 
lipt  up  an'  cracked  her  hedls  toge'rr  an'  spun  clean 
roun'  in  de  air  befo'  she  lit  on  her  footses. 

"Eoostah  ain'  sayin'  nuttin',  he  jes'  beckon  ter  Toad- 
frog.  He  nuver  stop  pickin',  but  tiptoed  ter  de  do'  an' 
cut  one  eye  thu  de  crack,  an'  got  dar  in  time  ter  see  'er 
do  de  high-jump.  Dey  wuz  dat  outdone  dey  kain't  say 
nuttin',  jes'  hunch  one  nu'rr  wid  der  elbers.  Den  Toad- 
frog  fell  back  on  de  bench  an'  went  on  pickin',  an' 
Eoostah  he  go  an'  git  up  on  de  bench  an'  crow  lak  he 
alluz  do  jes'  befo'  dinner. 

"Wen  she  year  'im  crow,  Mis'  Hoppah-grass  lipt  back 
in  baid  an'  drord  up  de  kivers  an'  done  lak  she  ain'  kin 
move  han'  er  foot.  Den  Boostah  walk  in  an'  come  up 
to'des  de  baid  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Wellum,  how  you  come 
on  dis  mawnin'  ?' 

"She  wuz  pantin'  so  f'um  de  darnsin'  dat  she  sca'cely 
kin  git  her  bref,  so  she  roll  her  eyes  up  in  her  haid  an' 
say,  'So  po'ly,  sca'ce  kin  talk.' 

"  'Dat  'ar's  a  burnin'  fib !'  sezee.  'I  boun'  you  I  mek 
you  git  up  f'um  dat  an'1  walk,  Mis'  Pop-eyes !'  sezee. 

"She  jump  outen  de  baid  an'  mek  fer  de  do',  an* 
Eoostah  he  lit  out  atter  her,  an'  dey  sut'n'y  had  it  den, 
fer  she  wuz  a  sho'-'nuff  jumper  an'  he  wuz  one'r  dese  yer 
shawt-legged  mens  whar  do  lak  dey  gwine  fall  all  over 
deyse'fs  w'en  dey  runs  fas'.  Dey  went  stavin'  thu  de 
yard  an'  over  de  fence  an'  'crost  a  fiel'  an'  den  back 
ergin,  an'  he  nigh  mos'  chase  'er  down  de  well.  Den 
she  mek  fer  de  grass  an'  think  she  gwine  hide  'way 

47 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

f  urn  him  dar,  but  he  putt  on  a  big  bus'  er  speed  an' 
kotehed  an'  et  her  jes'  ez  she  wuz  slippin'  inter  de 
grass. 

"I  reckon  y'all  done  seed  de  chickin-roostahs  chasin' 
de  hoppah-grasses  befo'  now,  an'  dish  yer  I  been  tellin' 
you  is  de  reason  dey  does  so.  Dey  ain'  fergit  her  'ceit- 
fulness,  an'  seem  lak  dey  jes'  natchully  kain't  leave  a 
hoppah-grass  'lone  w'en  dey  sees  'er,  boun'  ter  run  her 
down  er  die." 


48 


ME.  HARE  TRIES  TO  GET  A  WIFE 

One  day  the  children's  mother  told  them  that  she 
was  going  to  spend  a  few  days  at  a  plantation  some 
miles  away,  taking  with  her  Aunt  Nancy,  who  was  anx- 
ious to  pay  a  little  visit  to  a  daughter  living  in  that 
neighborhood.  Aunt  'Phrony,  she  told  them,  had  prom- 
ised to  come  and  look  after  them  during  her  absence. 

"Oh  please,  mamma/'  they  begged,  "let  Aunt  'Phrony 
take  us  nutting?  She  told  us  one  day  that  she  knew 
where  there  were  just  lots  and  lots  of  walnuts."  So  it 
was  arranged  that  they  should  take  a  luncheon  with 
them  and  make  a  day  of  it,  Aunt  'Phrony  being  perfectly 
willing,  for  her  Indian  blood  showed  itself  not  only  in 
her  appearance,  but  in  her  love  for  a  free  out-of-door 
life,  and  her  fondness  for  tramping.  She  would  readily 
give  up  a  day's  work  at  any  time  to  discharge  some 
wholly  insignificant  errand  which  involved  a  walk  of 
many  miles. 

The  day  was  a  bright  and  beautiful  one  in  October, 
warm,  yet  with  a  faint  nip  of  last  night's  frost  linger- 
ing in  the  air.  They  made  a  fine  little  procession  through 
the  woods,  Aunt  'Phrony  leading,  followed  by  children, 
a  darky  with  baskets,  her  grandson  "Wi'yum,"  and  lastly 
the  dogs,  frisking  and  frolicking  and  darting  away  every 
now  and  then  in  pursuit  of  small  game.  A  very  weary 
and  hungry  little  party  gathered  about  the  baskets  at 

49 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

one  o'clock,  and  three  little  pairs  of  white  hands  were 
stained  almost  as  brown  as  those  of  Aunt  'Phrony  and 
William.  But  everybody  was  happy,  and  there  was  a 
nice  pile  of  walnuts  to  go  back  in  the  large  bag  which 
William  had  brought  for  the  purpose.  The  dogs  sat 
around  and  looked  longingly  on,  a  squirrel  frisked  has- 
tily across  a  log  near  by,  the  birds  chattered  in  the 
trees  high  above  and  looked  curiously  down  on  the 
intruders,  and  presently  a  foolish  hare  went  scurrying 
across  the  path,  so  near  the  dogs  that  they  sat  still, 
amazed  at  his  presumption,  and  forbore  to  chase  him. 

"Hi!  there  goes  <oF  Hyar"!"  shouted  Ned;  "I'm 
going  to  see  if  I  can't  catch  him."  But  he  soon  gave  up 
the  hopeless  chase. 

"Was  that  your  'ol'  Hyar','  Aunt  'Phrony;  your  ol' 
Hyar'  you  tell  us  all  about?"  asked  little  Kit. 

"Bless  de  chil'!"  said  she.  "Naw,  'twuz  de  ol',  ol' 
Hyar'  I  done  tol'  you  'bout,  de  gre't-gre't-gre't-sump'n- 
ru'rr  grandaddy  er  dis  one,  I  reckon." 

"Aunt  'Phrony,"  said  Janey,  "couldn't  you  tell  us 
some  more  about  the  old  hare  while  we  sit  here  and 
get  rested?" 

"Now  de  laws-a-mussy,"  said  'Phrony,  "ef  we  gwine 
'mence  on  de  ol'  tales  I  reckon  I  mought  ez  well  mek 
up  my  min'  ter  spen'  de  res'  er  de  day  right  yer  on  dis 
spot,"  and  she  leaned  back  against  a  pine  tree  and 
closed  her  eyes  resignedly.  Presently  she  opened  them 
to  ask,  "Is  I  uver  tol'  you  'bout  de  time  Mistah  Hyar' 
try  ter  git  him  a  wife  ?  I  isn'  ?  Well,  den,  dat  de  one 
I  gwine  gin  you  dis  trip.  Hit  happen  dis-a-way :  Hyar' 
he  bin  flyin'  all  'roun'  de  kyountry  fer  right  long  time, 
frolickin'  an'  cuttin'  up,  jes'  a  no-kyount  bachelder, 

50 


ME.  HAKE  TEIES  TO   GET  A  WIFE 

an'  las'  he  git  kind  er  tired  uv  hit,  an'  he  see  all  tu'rr 
creeturs  gittin'  ma'ied  an'  he  tucken  hit  inter  his  haid 
dat  'twuz  time  he  settle  down  an'  git  him  a  wife ;  so  he 
primp  hisse'f  up  an'  slick  his  hya'r  down  wid  b'ar- 
grease  an'  stick  a  raid  hank'cher  in  his  ves'-pockit  an' 
pick  him  a  button-hole  f  um  a  lady's  gyarden,  an'  den 
he  go  co'tin'  dis  gal  an'  dat  gal  an'  tu'rr  gal.  He  'mence 
wid  de  goo'd-lookin'  ones  an'  wind  up  wid  de  ugly  ones, 
but  'twan't  nair5  one  dat  'ud  lissen  to  'im,  'kase  he  done 
done  so  many  mean  tricks  an'  wuz  sech  a  hyarum- 
skyarum  dat  dey  wuz  all  'feard  ter  tek  up  wid  'im,  an' 
so  dey  shet  de  do'  in  his  face  w'en  he  git  ter  talkin* 
sparky,  dough  dar  wan't  no  pusson  cu'd  do  dat  sort  er 
talkin'  mo'  slicker  'n  w'at  he  cu'd.  But  he  done  gin 
de  creeturs  ies'  lil  too  much  'havishness,  so  'twan't  no 

V  r 

use. 

"He  think  de  marter  all  over  an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f: 
'Dem  fool  gals  dunno  w'at  dey  missin',  but  ef  dey  s'pose 
I  gwine  gin  up  an'  stay  single,  dey  done  fool  derse'f s 
dis  time.  I  ain'  gwine  squatulate  wid  'em  ner  argyfy 
ner  beg  no  mo',  but  I  gwine  whu'l  right  in  an'  do 
sump'n.' 

"Atter  he  study  a  w'ile  he  slap  one  han'  on  his  knee, 
an'  he  'low,  he  do :  'Dat's  de  ticket !  dat's  de  ticket !  I 
reckon  dey'll  fin'  ol'  man  Hyar'  ain'  sech  a  fool  ez  he 
looks  ter  be,  atter  all.' 

"He  go  lopin'  all  roun',  leavin'  wu'd  at  ev*y  house 
in  de  kyountry  dat  a  big  meetin'  bin  hilt  an'  a  law 
passed  dat  ev'yb'dy  gotter  git  ma'ied,  young  an'  ol', 
rich  an'  po',  high  an'  low.  He  say  ter  hisse'f,  'Ev'yVdy, 
dat  mean  me,  too,  so  dish  yer  whar  I  boun'  ter  git  me 
a  wife/ 

51 


AT    THE   BIG  -HOUSE 

"De  creeturs  place  der  'pennance  on  him,  dough  he 
done  tucken  'em  in  so  often,  an7  on  de  'pinted  day  dey 
met  toge'rr;  de  gals  all  dress'  up  in  der  Sunday  clo'es 
an'  de  mens  fixed  up  mighty  sprucy,  an'  sech  a  pickin' 
an'  choosin'  you  nuver  see  in  all  yo'  bawn  days.  De  gals 
dey  all  stan'  up  in  line  an'  de  men  go  struttin'  mighty 
biggitty  up  an'  down  befo'  'em,  showin'  off  an'  makin' 
manners  an'  sayin',  'Howdy,  ladiz,  howdy,  howdy !'  An' 
de  gals  dey'd  giggle  an'  twis'  an'  putt  a  finger  in  de 
cornders  er  der  moufs,  an'  w'en  a  man  step  up  ter  one 
TIV  'em  ter  choose  her  out,  she'd  fetch  'im  a  li'l  tap  an' 
say,  'Hysh !  g'way  f 'um  yer,  man !  better  lemme  'lone !' 
an'  den  she'd  giggle  an'  snicker  some  mo',  but  I  let  you 
know  she  wuz  sho'  ter  go  wid  him  in  de  een'. 

"All  dis  time  Hyar'  wuz  gwine  up  an'  down  de  line, 
bowin'  an'  scrapin'  an'  tryin'  ter  mek  hisse'f  'greeable 
ter  ev'yb'dy,  even  de  daddies  an'  de  mammies  er  de  gals, 
whar  wuz  lookin'  on  f'um  tu'rr  side.  Dar  wuz  whar  he 
miss  hit,  'kase  w'ile  he  wuz  talkin'  ter  de  mammy  uv 
a  mighty  likely  li'l  gal  whar  he  think  'bout  choosin', 
lo  an'  beholst,  de  choosin'  wuz  all  over,  an'  w'en  Mistah 
Hyar'  turnt  roun'  dar  want  nair'  a  gal  lef,  an'  ev'y 
man  have  a  wife  asseptin'  him. 

"Den  dey  hilt  a  big  darnsin'  an'  feastin',  an'  ev'yb'dy 
wuz  happy  an'  in  a  monst'ous  good  humor,  de  gals  'kase 
dey  done  got  ma'ied,  an'  de  paws  an'  de  maws  'kase  dey 
done  got  redd  er  de  gals, — ev'yb'dy  'scusin'  Hyar'.  Dey 
mek  lots  er  game  uv  'im,  an'  w'en  dey  darnse  pas',  dey 
sings  out:  'Heyo!  Mistah  Hyar',  huccome  you  ain' 
darnse  ?'  'Bring  yo'  wife,  ol'  man,  an'  jine  in  de  fun !' 
'Hi !  yi !  Mistah  Hyar',  you  done  ma'y  off  ev'yb'dy  else 
an'  stay  single  yo'se'f  ?  Well,  dat  de  meanes'  trick  you 

52 


- 


ME.  HAEE  TRIES  TO  GET  A  WIFE 


done  played  us  yit !  'tain*  fair  !'    An'  dey  snicker  an'  run 
on  'twel  Hyar'  wish  he  ain'  nuver  year  de  wu'd  ma'y. 

"Atter  w'ile  dey  got  tired  er  darnsin'  an'  tucken  der 
new  wifes  an'  went  off  home  leayin'  Hyar'  all  by  hisse'f, 
an'  I  tell  you  he  feel  right  lonesome.  He  git  a  bad 
spell  er  de  low-downs  an'  go  squanderin'  roun'  thu  de 
woods  wid  his  years  drapt  an'  his  paws  hangin'  limp, 
studyin'  how  he  kin  git  revengemint.  Las'  he  pull  his- 
se'f  toge'rr  an'  he  say :  'Come,  Hyar',  dis  ain'  gwine  do. 
Is  you  done  fool  ev'yb'dy  all  dese  'ears  an'  den  let  yo'se'f 
git  fooled  by  a  passel  er  gals?  Naw,  suh!  I  knows 
w'at  I  gwine  do  dis  ve'y  minnit.  Ef  I  kain't  git  me  a 
gal,  I  kin  git  me  a  widdy,  an'  some  folks  laks  dem  de 
bes',  anyhows.  Ef  you  ma'y  a  widdy,  she  got  some  er 
de  foolishness  knock'  outen  her  befo'  you  hatter  tek  her 
in  hanV 

"Wid  dat  he  step  out  ez  gaily  ez  you  please.  He  go 
an'  knock  at  de  do'  uv  ev'y  house,  an'  w'en  de  folks 
come  ter  de  do'  dey  say,  *W'y,  howdy,  Mistah  Hyar', 
whar  you  bin  keepin'  yo'se'f  all  dis  time?'  He  say,  he 
do :  'Oh,  I  bin  tendin'  ter  de  'fairs  er  de  kyountry,  an'  I 
is  sont  unter  you  ez  a  messenger.  I  is  saw'y  ter  tell 
you  dey  done  hilt  nu'rr  big  meetin'  an'  mek  up  der 
min's  de  worl'  gittin'  too  many  creeturs  in  hit,  so  dey 
pass  de  law  dat  dar  mus'  be  a  big  battle,  an*  you  is  all 
ter  meet  toge'rr  at  de  'pinted  time,  an'  each  man  mus' 
fall  'pun  de  man  nex'  him  an'  try  fer  ter  kill  'im.' 

"De  creeturs  assept  dis  wid  submissitty,  dey  ain' 
'spicion  Hyar'  't  all.  On  de  'pinted  day  dey  met  toge'rr, 
an'  each  wuz  raidy  ter  defen'  hisse'f.  Hyar'  wuz  dar 
lak  all  de  res',  an'  ef  you'd  'a  seed  all  de  spears  an'  bows 
an*  arrers  he  kyarry,  an'  all  de  knifes  stickin'  in  his 

53 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

belt,  you'd  'a  thought  he  wuz  de  bigges'  fighter  dar. 
But  sho !  Wen  de  fightin'  begin,  hit  wuz  f ar'-you-well, 
gentermans!  'Twan't  no  Hyar'  dar;  he  jes'  putt  out 
tight  'z  he  kin  go.  Wen  dey  see  him  goin'  dey  sing  out : 
'Hi,  dar !  Mistah  Hyar' !  Whar  you  gwine  ?  Whyn't 
you  stay  wid  we-all  an'  fight  dis  out  ?' 

"Hyar5  ain'  stop  ter  talk,  he  jes'  look  roun'  over  his 
shoulder  whiles  he  'z  runnin'  an'  he  say,  sezee :  'De  man 
I  wanster  kill,  he  done  runned  'way  an'  I'se  atter  him, 
hot-foot,  de  mis'able  cowerd.  Kain't  stop  ter  talk;  git 
outen  my  way,  ev'yb'dy, 

'Cle'r  de  track,  fer  yer  me  comin', 
I'se  ol'  Buster  whar  keep  things  Tiummin'.' 

"Wen  de  battle  wuz  over,  de  creeturs  miss  Hyar',  an' 
dey  say  he  mus'  be  'mongs'  de  kilt,  so  dey  go  roun' 
lookin'  at  de  daid,  but  'twan't  no  Hyar'  dar.  Dey  hunt 
ev'ywhar  fer  him  an'  las'  dey  foun'  him  squattin'  in  de 
bresh,  tremlin'  ez  ef  he  have  de  ager  an'  nigh  mos' 
skeert  ter  def.  Dey  drug  him  outen  dat  an'  dey  ses: 
'So  dish  yer's  Buster  whar  keep  things  hummin' !  Well, 
we  gwine  mek  you  hum  dis  time,  sho'  ?nuff.  You  putts 
we-all  ter  fightin'  an'  gits  heap  er  good  men  kilt  off,  an' 
yer  you  settin'  tuck  'way  safe  in  de  bresh.  We  gwine 
hole  you  'sponsible  fer  dis,  an'  we  gotter  know  de  whar- 
fo's,  too.' 

"Den  ol'  Hyar'  he  up  an'  'fess  he  done  de  hull  bizness 
so's't  de  kyountry  mought  be  full  er  widdies  an'  he 
git  him  his  pick  fer  a  wife,  fer  he  'lowed  widdies  wan't 
gwine  be  so  p'tickler  ez  de  gals.  De  creeturs  jes'  nat- 
chully  hilt  up  der  han's  at  him,  dey  wuz  plumb  outdone. 

54 


MR.  HAEE  TEIES  TO   GET  A  WIFE 

*De  owdacious  vilyun!'  dey  ses,  'we  boun'  ter  exescoot 
him  on  de  spot  an'  git  shed  uv  'im  onct  fer  all/  But  he 
baig  mighty  hard  an'  some  uv  'em  think  he  be  wuss 
punish  ef  dey  jes'  gins  'im  a  good  hidin'  an'  lets  'im 
live  on  alone,  a  mis'able  ol'  bachelder,  widout  no  pusson 
ter  tek  notuss  uv  'im,  'kase  in  co'se  none  er  de  widdies. 
wuz  gwine  ma'y  a  cowerd." 

"Why,  Aunt  Throny,"  said  Ned,  "he  must  have  found 
a  wife  at  last,  for  how  about  Mis'  Molly  Hyar'  ?" 

"Shucks!"  said  she,  "is  I  uver  toP  you  'bout  Mis' 
Molly  Hyar'?  Naw,  suh,  she  b'longs  in  dem  ol'  nigger 
tales  whar  Nancy  tells  you.  De  Injun  tales  am'  say 
nuttin'  'bout  no  wife  er  his'n.  He  wuz  too  gre't  a  fighter 
an'  too  full  er  'havishness  uver  ter  settle  down  wid  a 
wife ;  an'  now  lemme  finish  de  tale. 

"Dey  gin  him  a  turr'ble  trouncin'  an'  den  turnt  him 
aloose,  an'  stidder  gittin'  him  a  wife  he  got  him  a  hide 
dat  smart  f 'urn  haid  ter  heels ;  but  w'en  my  daddy  tell 
dat  tale  he  useter  een'  her  up  dis-a-way,  'An'  mebbe 
Hyar'  git  de  bes'  uv  'em,  atter  all,  'kase  w'en  you  git  a 
hidin',  de  smart's  soon  over,  but  w'en  you  git  a  wife, 
de  mis'ry  done  come  ter  stay/  " 


HOW  ME.  HAEE  LOST  HIS  HORNS 


"Well,  I  say !"  said  Ned,  when  Aunt  Throny  had  fin- 
ished telling  of  Mr.  Hare's  failure  to  get  a  wife,  "who'd 
think  such  a  little  old  thing  as  a  hare  could  make  so 
much  mischief?" 

"Li'l  ol'  thing!  him?  not  in  dem  days,  chil',"  said 
the  old  woman.  "Am'  I  toP  you,  tu'rr  night,  dat  de 
creeturs  wan't  lak  dey  is  now?  W'y,  Hyar'  he  wuz  a 
big  man,  I  tell  you,  an'  he  had  hawns ;  yas  Jiawns,  sho'- 
'nuff  hawns,  jes'  lak  de  deers  has.  'Deed,  de  deer-hawns 
useter  b'long  on  his  haid,  'twel  tu'rr  creeturs  done 
tucken  'em  'way  f'um  'im.  I  gwine  tell  you  'bout  dat 
ef  you  promuss  not  ter  pester  me  'bout  no  mo'  tales  fer 
one  w'ile." 

Of  course  the  children  promised,  and  the  old  woman, 
with  head  thrown  back  against  the  tree  and  a  dreamy 
look  in  her  eyes,  as  if  she  were  contemplating  those 
far-off  days  when  the  hare  was  the  great  hero  of  many 
a  tale  told  by  the  camp-fires  of  her  father's  people, 
began  the  story  of  the  lost  horns. 

"I  done  tol'  you,"  she  commenced,  "dat  Hyar'  useter 
wear  hawns,  an*  dis  huccome  he  ter  lose  'em.  At  fus' 
he  am'  have  none,  but  he  git  ter  be  sech  a  big  man  an' 
sech  a  smart  man  dat  de  creeturs  look  up  ter  him 
might'ly,  an*  dey  wanter  do  sump'n  ter  show  der  re- 
gyards  uv  'im,  'kase  dish  yer  wuz  bef o'  he  git  so  trickish ; 

56 


HOW   MR.    HARE   LOST   HIS   HORNS 


so  dey  have  w'at  dey  call  a  kyouncil  an'  talk  hit  all 
over  an'  agree  ter  gin  him  a  harnsum  pair  er  hawns, 
thinkin'  dat  sech  a  smart  creetur  boun'  ter  mek  good 
use  uv  'em.  So  dey  call  him  up  an'  dey  ses,  'Mistah 
Hyar',  we  done  'cide  ter  put£  dese  hawns  on  you,  an' 
we  wants  you  ter  'member  dat  we  nuver  putts  'em  on  any 
but  tiptop  men  an'  natchel-bawn  runners,  an'  we  'specs 
you  ter  keep  up  yo'  good  name  in  dis  marter.  Now 
lessee  w'at  you  kin  do  wid  'em.' 

"Dey  gin  him  de  wu'd  an'  'way  he  went,  but  mebbe 
de  hawns  mek  'im  feel  sort  er  onbalance  in  de  haid  er 
somehows  outer  kelter,  'kase  stidder  runnin'  lak  he  use- 
ter  he  went  wid  a  sort  er  hop,  skip  an'  jump,  an'  in  de 
place  er  gwine  up  an'  down  de  medders  whar  him  an' 
Mistah  Dapple-deer  useter  kite  roun'  toge'rr,  mighty 
good  fren's,  he  jes'  tucken  ter  de  bresh  an'  dey  am'  see 
him  no  mo'  fer  so  long  time. 

"De  creeturs  say  ter  one  nu'rr,  *W'at  in  de  name  er 
goodness  done  corned  over  Mistah  Hyar'?  He  useter 
live  out  in  de  open  'long  wid  Mistah  Deer,  'bavin'  his- 
se'f  lak  a  'sponsible  pusson,  an'  now  he  done  quit  we-all, 
an'  lawd  on'y  knows  whar  he  is  at.  Look-a-yer,  Mistah 
Dapple-deer,  we  gwine  'p'int  you  ter  hunt  up  yo'  fren' 
an'  bring  'im  back  ter  dis  kyouncil.  Kin  we  'pend  on 
you  fer  dis,  suh  ?' 

"Deer  he  say:  'Well,  I  ain'  mek  no  promuss;  dat 
ain'  my  way.  Makin'  an'  breakin'  is  bof e  pow'f ul  easy ; 
but  ef  I  sesso,  den  I  gwine  do  so,  an'  I  say  dis  much:  I 
gwine  do  w'at  I  kin,  but  mebbe  you  has  notuss  dat  folks 
is  'bout  de  mos'  onsu't'n  truck  w'at  dey  is;  I  mought 
arnser  fer  Mistah  Hyar'  yist'd'y,  but  I  kain't  tell  w'at 
he  gwine  do  to-morrer.' 

57 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

"Well,  suh,  he  go  an'  he  hunt  an'  he  hunt  an'  he 
hunt.  Fus'  he  look  in  de  medders,  no  Mistah  Hyar'; 
den  he  look  in  de  woods,  no  Mistah  Hyar' ;  den  he  tuck 
ter  lookin'  in  de  bresh,  an'  dar  he  wuz,  settin'  up  on 
his  'hime  laigs  an'  gnorrin'  a  locus'  twig,  jes'  ez  oncon- 
sarn'  ez  ef  he  bin  livin'  dar  all  his  life." 

Ned  interrupted  to  say,  "What  in  the  world  did  he 
want  to  gnaw  a  locust  twig  for  ?" 

"Oh,  dat  wuz  fer  his  front  toofs.  He  teck  a  twig  er 
de  black  locus',  'kase  dat  good  an'  hard,  an'  he  gnor  an' 
he  gnor,  ter  keep  his  front  toofs  groun'  down;  fer  ef 
he  ain'  do  dat  dey'd  grow  so  long  he  cu'dden  use  'em, 
'deed  dey  would.  Well,  he  wuz  grindin'  way  on  de 
twig  an'  he  year  Deer  comin'  an'  he  say,  'Howdy,  Mistah 
Dapple-deer,  howdy,'  widout  even  so  much  ez  turnin' 
his  haid. 

"  'Well,  uv  all  de  news !'  sez  Deer,  sezee,  'w'at  you 
doin'  yer  so  fur  f 'um  de  place  whar  you  b'longs  ter  ?' 

"  'Jes'  gittin'  my  toofs  in  good  fix,'  sezee,  gnorrin'  on 
ez  ef  he  nuver  'spec'  ter  git  nu'rr  locus'  twig. 

"  'Come  'long  outen  yer,'  sez  Deer,  'dis  no  place  fer  a 
man  er  yo'  breens  an'  unnerstannin' ;  come  out  yer  in 
de  open  an'  show  yo'se'f .  W'at  mek  you  wanter  skulk 
an'  hide  yo'se'f  in  de  bresh  ?' 

"  'Tired  er  de  open,'  sez  Hyar',  sezee,  'tired  er  runnin' 
races ;  tired  er  gwine  all  'roun'  creashun  ter  fin'  vittles. 
Gwine  stay  right  in  yer  whar  I  kin  fin'  'em  handy; 
gwine  teck  things  easy  f'um  dis  on.  Ef  dese  yer  breens 
er  mine  whar  you  talk  'bout  is  good  fer  anything,  dey 
tell  me  dat  w'uk  don'  'gree  wid  me,  nohow.' 

"Deer  he  'suade  an'  he  'suade,  but  'twan't  no  use,  an' 
las'  Hyar*  git  kind  er  riley  an'  he  say,  he  do :  'Don'  you 

58 


"Howdy,  Mistah  Dapple-Deer,  Howdy  !"  Page  58 


HOW   ME.    HAEE   LOST    HIS   HOENS 

'suade  me  no  mo'.  My  min'  done  mek  up.  You  better 
lemme  'lone,  'kase  now  I  got  me  dese  hawns  I  is  kind  er 
dangersome,  an'  you  bes'  not  git  in  a  fist-an'-skull  fight 
wid  me,  'kase  ders  no  tellin'  whar  you  mought  bring 
up,  on  de  p'int  er  dese  hawns,  I  dunno ;  I  ain'  'sponsible 
fer  'em/  an'  wid  dat  he  shuk  de  hawns  servigrous  at  po* 
ol'  Deer. 

"'Well,  ef  dat  ain'  de  gre'tes'  howdy-do!'  sez  Deer, 
sezee.  'An'  dish  yer  wuz  de  man  I  done  place  my  'pen- 
nance  on  an'  think  wuz  my  fren'!  Nemmine,  g'long 
an'  do  de  way  you  wanster;  I  done  wash  my  han's  er 
de  bizness.  De  fool-killer  better  come  dis  'way,  dough, 
right  quick,  'kase  dars  a  good  size  job  waitin'  fer  him 
right  close  ter  dese  diggin's,  an'  I  jes'  'bout  b'lieve  I 
gwine  leave  wu'd  fer  him  whar  ter  call,  ez  I  g'long  back/ 

"Wid  dat  he  sa'nter  off  a  li'l  ways,  thinkin'  mebbe 
Hyar'  gwine  f oiler.  Naw  suh !  he  jes'  sot  dar  an'  went 
on  gnorrin*.  W'en  Deer  see  dat,  he  succle  'roun'  thu 
de  woods  a  piece  an'  come  up  behime  ol'  Hyar'  an' 
grab  'im  back  er  de  hawns  an'  go  lopin'  off  wid  'im  ter 
de  kyouncil. 

"  'Set  down  de  pris'ner,'  dey  ses  ter  Mistah  Deer. 
Deer  putt  him  down  an'  he  sot  dar  jes'  ez  ca'm  ez  you 
please,  still  gnorrin'  on  a  li'l  locus'  twig  he  bringed 
wid  'im.  'Mawnin','  sezee,  'gemmen,  mawnin'.  Hope 
I  sees  y'all  right  well.  Y'all  lookin'  tol'ble,  hope  you 
feelin'  dat-a-way,  dough  "look"  an*  "feel"  'spute  wid  one 
nu'rr  mighty  often  in  dis  worl'.  Yer  me,  all  stove  up 
wid  de  rheumatiz,  dough  I  'spec'  you  oon  b'lieve  hit 
jes'  ter  look  at  me.' 

"De  kyouncil  ain'  pay  no  Mention  ter  his  gwines-on. 


59 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

Tris'ner,  has  you  anything  ter  say  fer  yo'se'f  ?'  dey  ax 
'im. 

"  'Plenty/  sezee,  cool  ez  a  cowcumber,  'did  any  pusson 
liver  see  de  time  w'en  I  kain't  wag  my  tongue  wid  de 
bes'?  But  ef  you  mean  'bout  dem  hawns,  I  ain'  got 
nair*  wu'd  ter  say,  'ceptin'  dat  you  done  putt  'em  on 
me  too  suddintly.  Seem  like  dey  kind  er  goes  ter  my 
haid  an'  mek  me  wanter  do  diff'nt  f'um  w'at  I  uver 
has  befo'.  Y'all  'd  orter  let  dem  hawns  grow  on  me, 
li'l  at  a  time,  soVt  I  moughter  got  use'  to  'em/  Den 
he  set  back  on  his  ha'nches  an'  look  lak  'twan't  none  er 
his  bizness  an'  he  wan't  kyarin'  w'at  dey  done  wid  'im. 

"De  kyouncil  lean  der  haids  on  der  ban's  an'  study 
'bout  de  marter,  an'  las'  dey  ses,  'Mebbe  we  done  mek 
too  much  has'e  in  dis  bizness,  so  we  ain'  gwine  be  too 
hard  on  you,  but  we  p'intedly  ses  ter  you  dat  you  kain't 
keep  dem  hawns;  we  'bleeged  ter  teck  'em  'way  f'um 
you  an'  gin  'em  ter  some  pusson  dat  gwine  mek  good 
use  uv  'em/ 

"01'  Hyar'  he  say,  sezee:  'Gemmen,  dat  suit  me  to 
a  hya'r,  'kase  dey  is  too  big  fer  dis  chil'  an'  mek  him 
feel  kind  er  top-haivy/ 

"So  dey  ondone  'em  offen  Hyar',  an'  den  dey  call  up 
Deer  an'  ses,  'Mistah  Dapple-deer,  you  done  stuck  by 
de  kyouncil  an'  you  done  done  yo'  juty  in  the  place  whar 
we  putt  you  an'  you  has  foun'  Mistah  Hyar'  an'  bringed 
him  back  ter  we-all,  an'  so  now  we  gwine  gin  you  dese 
hawns  fer  de  reward  er  yo'  sarvices/ 

"So  Deer  he  go  tippin'  up  an'  kneel  down  an'  dey 
fasten  de  hawns  on  'im.  Um-umph!  No  sooner  done 
dan  he  scrabble  ter  his  f ootses  an'  gin  a  boun'  an'  went 
jumpin'  off  inter  de  bresh,  an'  dar  whar  he  bin  livin' 

60 


HOW   MR.    HAEE   LOST    HIS   HORNS 


uver  sence.  Onct  in  a  whiles  you  kin  see  him  cross  de 
open,  but  he  do  hit  in  a  mighty  big  hurry,  I  tell  you, 
jes'  two  er  th'ee  monst'ous  jumps  an'  he  git  clean  'cross 
a  big  fiel',  an'  even  den  he  sca'cely  uver  cross  lessen  de 
dogs  is  atter  'im,  an'  he  ain'  see  no  urr  way  ter  git 
outen  dey  road. 

"Hyar'  he  squat  dar  an'  look  atter  Mistah  Deer,  an* 
he  laugh  an'  he  laugh,  an'  he  laugh  'twel  he  fall  over 
an'  roll  on  de  groun'.  Den  de  kyouncil  dey  ses,  'Mistah 
Hyar',  we  wants  you  ter  set  up,  suh,  an'  quit  dis  'havish- 
ness;  dar  ain'  nuttin'  ter  laugh  'bout  in  dis  bizness, 
'kase  de  kyouncil  done  los'  nu'rr  good  member.'  01' 
Hyar*  he  set  up  an'  he  bow  an'  he  scrape  an'  he  say,  he 
do, f  'Scuse  me,  gemmen,  but  I  hatter  laugh  Ven  I  think 
'bout  de  effec'  er  dem  hawns  on  sech  a  well  behave'  pus- 
son  ez  Dapple-deer.  Dish  yer  gwine  l'am  y'all,  I  reckon, 
dat  'tain'  safe  ter  pile  up  de  honors  on  a  man's  haid 
too  suddintly,  dey  kain't  stan'  hit.  Y'all  please  'scuse 
me  ef  I  run  'long  atter  Dapple-deer,  'kase  I  done  had 
a  tas'e  er  livin'  in  de  bresh  an'  you  mus'n'  'spec  ter  see 
me  often  out  yer  in  de  open.  So  long,  gemmen,  so 
long!'  He  run  off  inter  de  bresh  an'  stay  dar,  befo' 
dey  kin  say  Jack  Robumsum,  an'  dat  Vat  all  de  hyar's 
bin  doin'  uver  sence." 


61 


WHY  THE  TITMOUSE  HAS  A  BLUNT  TONGUE 


The  children  sat  perfectly  quiet  after  Aunt  'Phrony 
had  finished  telling  them  about  how  Mr.  Hare  lost  his 
horns,  for  they  remembered  that  they  had  promised  not 
to  "pester"  for  more.  But  the  story-teller  was  in  an 
amiable  mood,  and,  without  solicitation,  went  on  to  re- 
late another  tale,  in  which  Mr.  Hare  figured  again. 

"Onct,"  she  said,  "oP  Hyar'  wuz  livin'  'way  off  in  de 
mountains,  so  high  up  dat  he  cu'd  look  out  over  de 
kyountry  an'  see  ev'ything  an'  know  jes'  'zackly  w'en 
anything  wuz  gwine  on.  Ev'y  time  he  seed  a  big  smoke 
he  knowed  a  fire  bin  built  an'  dat  sump'n  er  nu'rr  wuz 
in  de  wind,  so  he  'ud  jes'  light  out  fer  de  place,  an* 
w'en  he  git  dar  he  alluz  start  up  some  trouble  er  ru'rr. 

"One  time  dar  wuz  a  heap  er  sickness  'mongs'  de  peo- 
ple, an'  so  dey  went  ter  wu'k  an'  had  a  medincin'- 
darnse." 

The  little  folks  wanted  to  know  what  a  medicine  dance 
might  be. 

"Oh,  honeys!"  Aunt  'Phrony  exclaimed,  "I  tell  you 
a  medincin'-darnse  wuz  one  big  time,  dat  hit  wuz !  My 
daddy  done  toP  me  all  'bout  hit.  Dey  mos'  in  gin'ly 
hilt  de  darnse  in  de  fall,  dem  Injun  folks,  but  sometimes 
'twuz  in  de  spring,  an'  ef  dar  wuz  any  dese  yer  ketchin' 
diseases  'roun',  dey  hilt  hit  mos'  any  time  ter  keep  off 
de  sickness.  My  daddy's  people  b'lieve  ev'ything  dat 

62 


WHY  THE  TITMOUSE  HAS'  A  BLUNT  TONGUE 

grows  got  some  use  in  sickness.  Dey  ses  dat  long,  long 
time  ago  de  anermnels  got  toge'rr  an'  made  up  der  min's 
dat  dar  wuz  too  many  mens  in  de  worl',  so  dey  putt  der 
haids  toge'rr  and  got  up  a  pow'ful  lot  er  diseases  fer 
ter  kill  off  de  people.  Den  all  de  growin'  things,  w'en 
dey  got  de  news  er  dis,  dey  ses,  'We-all  is  de  fren's  er 
men,  we  gwine  gin  'em  w'at  he'p  we  kin  in  dis  marter.' 
So  each  er  de  trees  an'  de  bushes  an'  de  yarbs  an'  de 
grasses  an'  de  mosses  dey  'greed  ter  gin  a  kyore  fer  some 
one'r  de  diseases  de  anermuels  done  brung  'pun  de  people. 
An'  de  people  got  so  dat  dey  knowed  'bout  dese  kyores, 
an'  dat  huccome  dey  have  de  medincin'-darnse. 

"I  done  tol'  you  'twus  a  mighty  big  time.  De  medin- 
cin' men  dey'd  ga'rr  de  yarbs  an'  git  de  medincin'  raidy, 
an'  den  de  leader  he'd  git  up  an'  sing  sump'n  at  de  res'  er 
de  medincin'  men,  an'  den  dey'd  'spon'  back  at  'im  wid 
some  mo'  singin'.  Dey'd  keep  hit  up  dat-a-way  a  w'ile 
an'  den  de  darnse  wuz  hilt.  An'  all  de  time  hit  wuz 
gwine  on  de  people  wuz  drinkin'  de  medincin'.  Hit 
wuz  pass'  roun'  to  'em  wid  seven  dippers  in  each  mess  er 
de  medincin',  an'  ev'y  pusson  'bleeged  ter  teck  some. 
Dey  kep'  de  darnse  up  fo'  days,  an'  de  fo'th  day  dey 
hatter  go  widout  eatin'  all  day  long.  W'ensomuver  dey 
have  de  medincin'-darnse  dey  alluz  foller  hit  up  wid 
de  eagle-darnse  an'  de  pigeon-darnse,  an'  each  un  'em 
las'  fo'  days.  In  de  eagle-darnse  dey  use  de  eagle-fed- 
ders,  an'  daddy  say  'twuz  a  fine  sight,  all  dem  eagle- 
fedders,  each  un  'em  tip'  off  wid  a  li'l  bit  er  fur  f'um  de 
deer's  tail.  Dem  wuz  gran'  times,  I  tell  you ! 

"Well,  I  done  tol'  you  dar  wuz  a  lot  er  sickness  an' 
de  people  wuz  holdin'  one'r  dem  medincin'-darnses,  an* 
ol'  Hyar'  off  up  in  de  mountains  see  de  smoke  er  de 

63 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

fires  an*  come  down  ter  jine  in  de  fun.  Wen  he  fin' 
out  'bout  de  sickness,  hit  come  inter  his  min'  ter  play 
doctah,  so  he  go  roun'  sayin'  he  wuz  a  gre't  medincin' 
man  an'  axin'  folks  ter  putt  out  der  tongues.  He'd  say, 


'Come  yer,  suh,  an'  putt  out  yo'  tongue,  fur  'z  you  kin, 
don'  be  'shame'  er  de  lenk  uv  hit,  'tain'  ev'yb'dy  got  sech 
a  good  swollerer  ez  dat.'  Den  he'd  come  a  li'l  closter 
an'  teck  de  tongue  in  his  han'  an'  say,  *Sho!  sho!  yo' 
tongue  mighty  coated,  suh.  'Pears  lak  yo'  stummick 
kain't  be  wu'kkin'  lak  she  orter ;  lessee  'bout  dis.'  Wid 

64 


WHY  THE  TITMOUSE  HAS'  A  BLUNT  TONGUE 

dat  he'd  gin  de  tongue  a  snatch  dat  pull  her  clean  out 
by  de  roots.  He  kilt  two  er  th'ee  pussons  dat-a-way 
an'  den  tucken  hisse'f  off  an'  hid  in  de  big  mountains 
whar  dey  kain't  fin'  him. 

"De  people  dey  wuz  plumb  outdone,  so  dey  hilt  a 
kyouncil  an'  mek  up  der  min's  dey  wuz  gwine  ketch 
'im  an'  fix  him  so's't  de  fus'  thing  he  knowed  he  oon 
know  nuttin'.  Dey  say,  'De  bes'  way  ter  git  'im  down 
f  um  de  mountains  be  ter  build  a  fire/  so  dey  all  got 
toge'rr  an'  built  a  monst'ous  big  fire,  fus'  lightwood  an' 
den  bresh  an'  den  logs,  an'  dey  kep'  pilin'  her  up  an' 
pilin'  her  up  'twel  you  cu'd  see  de  light  fer  miles.  Dat 
fotched  'im.  But  he  wuz  too  smart  an'  too  skittish 
not  ter  know  dey  wuz  layin'  fer  'im,  so  he  tucken  his 
medjures  'cordin'.  He  have  de  power  ter  turn  hisse'f 
inter  mos'  anything  he  wanter,  so  he  jes'  tucken  de 
shape  uv  a  b'ar  an'  come  scrunchin'  'long  an'  squat 
down  by  de  fire.  De  people  wuz  hid  off  in  de  bresh  wid 
der  bows  an'  arrers,  but  w'en  dey  see  'twan't  nuttin'  but 
a  b'ar  dey  ses,  'We  ain'  have  no  qu'oil  wid  Mistah  B'ar. 
Jes'  we  let  him  'lone  an'  save  ow'  arrers  fer  dat  mis'able 
ol'  HyarV  So  dey  done  dat,  an'  Hyar*  he  sot  dar  an'  sot 
dar,  sort  er  darin'  'em  ter  come  on,  but  dey  ain'  'spicion 
nuttin'  an'  atter  w'ile  he  got  tired  an'  moseyed  'long 
back  ter  de  mountains  leavin'  'em  settin'  dar  watchin' 
an'  layin'  fer  'im. 

"Dey  kep'  on  buildin'  fires  an'  he  kep'  on  comin'  an' 
settin'  by  'em,  fus'  in  one  shape  an'  den  in  anu'rr  'twel 
las'  de  people  'gun  ter  see  thu  de  dodge  an'  dey  ses, 
'Well,  suh,  de  fool-killer  orter  come  'long  yer  an'  'tend 
ter  we-all,  we  sut'n'y  has  ac'  lak  plumb  ijits,  lettin'  dat 
ol'  rapskallion  come  yer  night  atter  night  anj  set  by  de 

65 


AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 

fire  an'  wo'm  hisse'f  an'  do  lak  he  own  de  place.  We  ain' 
got  no  sense  't  all  er  we'd  a  knowed  'twan't  nob'dy  else 
in  de  worl'.  I  boun'  you  he  bin  havin'  a  good  laugh 
'bout  us  wid  de  nabers  w'en  he  got  home.  'Twon't  do 
ter  let  dis  run  on  no  longer,  fer  ef  we  does,  he  sho'  ter 
git  we-all  inter  hot  water  somehow  er  nu'rr.  Now  de 
on'ies  way  we  kin  mek  sho'  'bout  dis  is  jes'  ter  set  back 
in  de  bresh  an'  let  fly  at  any  creetur  whar  come  an'  squat 
hisse'f  by  dat  fire.  We  mus'  jes'  s'roun'  de  fire  an'  let 
de  arrers  zip  him  f 'urn  ev'y  side.' 

"Den  dey  went  ter  wu'k  an'  sont  noration  all  thu  de 
kyountry  dat  ev'y  pusson  whar  kin  hannle  a  bow  an' 
arrer  mus'  come  ter  de  meetin'  dat  night,  even  de  li'l 
boys  wuz  ter  jine  in.  All  dat  day  de  men  an'  de  boys 
wuz  keepin'  der  han's  in,  shootin'  at  marks,  an'  de  wim- 
mins  an'  de  chillen  wuz  bringin'  de  bresh  an'  de  wood 
an'  pilin'  hit  high  fer  de  fire.  Soon  ez  'twuz  dark  dey 
lit  'er,  an'  my !  how  she  blaze !  I  reckon  you  nuver  seed 
no  sech  a  fire  ez  dat  wuz.  Dar  wan't  no  wind,  an'  de 
flame  she  jes'  went  a  shootin'  up  in  de  air,  an'  ol'  Hyar' 
he  see  hit,  'way  off  in  de  mountains,  an'  he  rub  his 
han's  toge'rr  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Nabers,  I  kain't  stay 
home  dis  night,  I  tell  you  dat,  p'in'-blank.  Dars  some 
kind  er  shindig  gwine  on  down  dar,  by  de  lookin's  er  dat 
fire,  an'  I'se  'bleeged  ter  know  w'at  'tis  an'  mebbe  tek 
a  han'  in  hit.' 

"De  nabers  dey  say,  TTas,  reckon  'twon't  do  fer  you 
ter  stay  home  one  night,  some  'un  might  'spicion  dat 
you  wuz  a  decent,  settled  sort  er  pusson  ef  you  done 
dat.  Bes'  g'long  an'  keep  up  de  name  you  done  mek 
fer  yo'se'f .' 

"Sezee  ter  hisse'f,  'Dog-my-cats  ef  I  kyare,'  an'  wid 
66 


WHY  THE  TITMOUSE  HAS'  A  BLUNT  TONGUE 

dat  he  riz  up  in  his  tracks  an'  putt  out  fer  de  low  groun's 
so  fas'  dat  he  sca'cely  touch'  groun'  betwix'  jumps. 

"Jes'  hefo'  he  got  dar  he  tuck  an'  change  hisse'f  inter 
nu'rr  shape  an'  went  r'arin'  an'  chargin'  up  ter  de  fire 
lak  he  wuz  pow'ful  big  an'  empawtant.  De  people  come 
mighty  nigh  bein'  tuck  in  by  him  ag'in,  but  de  leader  gin 
de  signal  an'  dey  close  in  on  'im,  whoopin'  an'  yellin',  an' 
ketched  him  jes'  ez  he  wuz  tryin'  ter  slip  inter  de  bresh. 
No  sooner  is  dey  tetch  'im  dan  he  turnt  back  inter  his 
own  shape,  an'  dey  ses,  'Uh-huh,  now  we  foun'  you,  suh, 
an'  finders  is  keepers,  you  done  yearn  dat  all  yo'  life. 
Neenter  kick,  suh,  we  ain'  min'  dat.  No  use  ter  thump 
de  groun'  wid  yo'  behime  foot,  neener,  'kase  der  ain' 
none  er  yo'  folks  widin  call.' 

"Wid  dat  dey  drug  him  'way  an'  tied  him  to  a  saplin'. 
Den  dey  all  stood  off  an'  tuck  aim  an'  de  arrers  jes' 
come  a-whizzin'  thu  de  air,  zippety-zip,  an'  struck  ol' 
Hyar'  mos'  ev'y  time.  He  wuz  too  big  a  cunjerer  ter  be 
'feard  er  dem  li'l  ol'  arrers,  so  he  jes'  stood  dar  laughin'. 
W'en  a  arrer  struck  him  hit  'ud  jes'  glance  off  widout 
hu'tin'  him  an'  he  do  lak  a  flea  bin  an'  bit  him.  Sezee, 
'Um-umph !  is  dat  nu'rr  flea  done  bit  me  ?  Tears  lak 
I  got  a  mighty  big  crap  er  fleas  dis  season,  keep  me 
pow'ful  busy ;  'scuse  me,  gemmen,  ef  I  ain'  ez  mannerly 
ez  w'at  I  mos'  in  gin'ly  is,  dough  I  kin  do  dis  an'  lissen 
at  you,  too,  at  one  an'  de  same  time.' 

"He  wunk  one  eye  at  'em  an'  wuz  dat  peart  an'  sassy 
dat  de  people  fair'  foam  at  de  mouf  an'  dey  say,  'Dish 
yers  a  sho'-'nuff  cunjerer  an'  'tain'  no  use  ow'  tryin'  ter 
kill  'im  by  owse'fs.  Le's  we  send  off  ter  one'r  ow'  med- 
incin'  men  an'  ax  'im  w'at  we  bes'  do  ter  kill  dis  owda- 
cious  creetur.' 

67 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

"Dey  kep'  him  tied  up  ter  de  tree  an'  sont  off  ter  de 
medincin'  man,  an'  he  say,  'Go  back  an'  tell  'em  ter  shoot 
him  in  de  haid.'  So  dey  all  tuck  der  bows  an  arrers  an' 
aimed  at  de  haid.  Bless  goodness,  'twuz  wuss  dan  befo'. 
Hyar'  jes'  stood  dar  an'  nuver  even  wunk  his  eyeleds 
ner  twitched  his  whiskers,  an'  de  arrers  dey  jes'  fell  off 
lak  water  f'um  a  duck's  back.  Dey  seed  'twan't  no  use 
keepin'  dat  up,  so  dey  sont  off  ter  de  medincin'  man 
ag'in  an'  ax  him  f  er  ter  please  putt  his  min'  ter  wu'k  an' 
he'p  'em  outer  der  fix,  'kase  ol'  Hyar'  ain'  daid  yit  ner 
showin'  nair'  sign  er  dyin',  an'  he  'bleeged  ter  git  way 
f  um  'em  an'  do  a  lot  er  meanness  yit  ef  dey  kain't  kill 
'im. 

"De  medincin'  man  study  fer  a  w'ile  an'  den  he  say, 
"Well,  you-all  go  back  an'  tell  'em  I  say  dat  de  on'ies' 
way  dey  kin  kill  dat  creetur  is  ter  shoot  him  in  de  paw, 
dey  kin  try  f  um  now  'twel  nuver  an'  dey  kain't  do  hit 
no  way  but  dat,  an'  dey  neenter  try.' 

"Dey  went  back  an'  kyar'd  de  wu'd,  an'  all  de  men 
an'  boys  got  der  bows  an'  arrers  raidy  ag'in  an'  de  leader 
gin  de  wu'd,  'Go !'  Dey  all  p'inted  der  arrers  at  ol'  man 
Hyar'  an'  let  'em  fly  toge'rr,  an'  Hyar'  he  knowed  dat 
his  time  done  come,  but  I  tell  you  he  died  right  game, 
sassy  ter  de  ve'y  las',  axin'  'em  w'y  dey  ain'  think  er 
doin'  dat-a-way  sooner. 

"Atter  he  wuz  daid  an'  dey  see  how  easy  'twuz  ter  kill 
'im,  dey  git  kind  er  mad  'kase  dey  ain'  do  hit  sooner, 
an'  dey  ses,  'Now,  w'y  in  de  name  er  common  sense  did 
dat  medincin'  man  putt  us  on  de  wrong  track,  tellin'  us 
ter  shoot  ol'  Hyar'  in  de  haid,  w'y  ain'  he  toP  us  ter 
shoot  him  in  de  paw?' 

"De  mo'  dey  thought  'bout  hit  de  madder  dey  got, 
68 


WHY  THE  TITMOUSE  HAS'  A  BLUNT  TONGUE 


an'  las'  dey  ses,  'Dat  wuz  a  mighty  'ceitful,  low-down 
trick,  an'  seem  lak  we  orter  punish,  'im  fer  dat,  'kase 
ef  we  lets  hit  go,  he  '11  git  so  we  kain't  putt  no  'pennance 
on  him  't  all  an'  he  ain'  be  no  kind  er  he'p  ter  we-all.' 

"De  medincin'  man  he  wuz  neener  mo'  ner  less  dan  de 
li'l  bu'd  whar  we  calls  de  'chick-a-dee.'  De  Injuns  calls 
him  'Chick-a-lee-lee,'  w'ich  soun'  mighty  nigh  de  same. 
Dey  go  off  an'  fin'  him  settin'  up  on  a  branch,  an'  call 
him  down  an'  ax  him  w'at  do  he  mean  by  bein  so  'ceit- 
ful an'  puttin'  'em  on  de  wrong  track.  He  ain'  have 
nair'  wu'd  ter  say  fer  hisse'f,  dough  mos'  in  gin'l  he 
wuz  right  talky.  He  jes'  hang  his  li'l  haid  an'  look 
at  'em  outen  de  cornder  uv  his  eye.  I  'spec'  dey  moughter 
kilt  'im  ef  he  'd  gin  'em  any  sass,  but  'kase  he  ac'  lak 
he  wuz  saw'y  dey  oon  do  dat.  Dey  ses,  'Chick-a-lee-lee, 
suh,  you  bin  cunjerin'  fer  we-all  dis  long  time  an'  we 
done  place  ow'  'pennance  on  yo'  wu'd  an'  now  you  bin 
right  'ceitful  wid  us.  'Kase  you  done  tol'  us  a  fib  we 
gwine  teck  an'  cut  off  de  een'  uv  yo'  tongue  w'at  you  tol' 
hit  wid,  an'  dat  gwine  call  hit  ter  yo'  min'  ev'y  time 
you  is  temp'ed  ter  tell  a  fib.' 

"So  dey  tuck  an'  tuck  Chick-a-lee-lee  an'  cut  off  de  tip 
een'  uv  his  tongue  an'  dat  huccome  Chick-a-lee-lees  have 
blunt  tongues  uver  sence  dat  time.  An'  uver  sence  den 
dey  bin  tryin'  ter  curry  faver  wid  de  humans  an'  mek 
'em  fergit  w'at  dey  done.  Dey  laks  ter  be  near  folks, 
an'  dey  mek  derse'fs  mighty  useful  stroyin'  de  bugs  an* 
de  wu'ms  offen  de  fruit  trees.  Even  w'en  de  snow  is  on 
de  groun'  dey  come  hoppin'  roun'  de  houses,  an'  dey  look 
might'ly  please'  ef  you  tek  notuss  uv  'em.  Dey  sets  der 
haids  on  one  side  an'  looks  up  at  you  outer  dey  li'l  bright 
eyes  an'  axes, 

69 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

Chick-a-lee  ?    CUick-a-lee  ? 
Is  you  fren's  wid  me  ? 
Ef  you  isn'  you  orter  be! 
ChicJc-a-lee-lee  ?    CJiick-a-lee-lee  ? 
ChicJc-a-leef  " 

As  she  finished  the  story,  Aunt  'Phrony  looked  around 
and  saw  her  grandson  stretched  out  on  the  ground  be- 
hind her,  fast  asleep.  "Wi'yum !  Wi'yum !  Hi,  Wi'yum  I" 
she  called  without  effect.  "Wake  up,  Wi'yum!  You 
year  me,  suh !  Time  I  come  dar  an'  walk  up  an'  down 
yo'  body  a  time  er  two,  I  reckon  you  wake  up !  I  thought 
dat  fotch  you,  suh.  Jes'  you  g'long  dig  minnit  an' 
ga'rr  up  dem  nuts  an'  putt  'em  in  de  bag,  an'  I  'spec' 
you-all  chillen  bes'  he'p  me  git  de  baskits  an'  things 
toge'rr  an'  go  down  ter  de  branch  an'  wash  yo'  face  an' 
ban's,  'kase  yo'  Uncle  Hinry  be  plumb  scannelize  ef  I 
brings  you  home  lookin'  lak  dat.  Den  we  mus'  be 
movin'  outen  dis  ef  we  gwine  git  home  befo'  sundown; 
dat  is,"  as  she  saw  signs  of  reluctance,  "lessen  you 
wanster  stay  yer  all  night  long  wid  some  er  de  creeturs 
I  done  tol'  you  'bout." 


70 


MR.  HARE  AND  MR.  FLINT  ROCK 


One  evening  the  children  heard  the  sound  of  a  banjo 
in  the  cook-house  and  begged  to  be  allowed  to  go  out 
and  listen. 

"Well,  I  declare,"  said  their  mother,  "you  children 
are  getting  so  you  don't  care  about  being  with  white 
folks  at  all ;  your  mother  has  to  play  second  fiddle  these 
days.  I  don't  know  what  she  is  going  to  do  for  some  lit- 
tle children  to  love  her  if  it  keeps  up  like  this." 

Kit  ran  to  her,  and,  throwing  his  little  arms  about 
her,  gave  her  a  good  hug,  as  if  to  reassure  her,  and  Ned 
said  they  would  have  to  make  the  most  of  their  time, 
as  they  would  presently  go  back  home  where  there  would 
be  no  negroes  and  no  stories,  when  he  and  the  other  two 
would  try  to  "make  it  up  to  her." 

"Very  well,"  said  their  mother,  "since  you  are  going 
to  make  it  up  to  me,  I  suppose  I  shall  have  to  let  you 
go,  but  you  must  promise  not  to  stay  late." 

They  found  Tim,  the  plow-boy,  playing  and  singing 
for  the  benefit  of  the  assembled  company,  among  whom 
was  Aunt  Nancy's  granddaughter,  Gassy.  She  had  been 
off  that  day  to  the  nearest  country  store  to  trade,  carry- 
ing what  she  called  a  "haid-turn";  a  haid-turn  being  a 
small  amount  of  produce,  as  much  as  could  easily  be 
carried  on  the  head,  which  was  to  be  exchanged  for 
groceries  or  dry  goods.  Gassy  was  still  decked  out  in 

71 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

her  best  dress  of  black  and  yellow  calico  with  a  marvel- 
ous garnishing  of  flying  red  ribbons. '  It  seemed  as  if 
Tim's  song  was  especially  addressed  to  the  young  lady, 
for,  as  he  "picked"  industriously  and  threw  his  head 
back  and  opened  his  mouth  to  its  fullest  extent,  he  kept 
his  eyes  steadily  on  her  face,  as  if  to  note  the  effect  of 
his  song. 

LI'L  'LIZA  JANE. 

"7  got  a  house  in  Baltimo', 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane; 

Po'ch  lehime  an'  po'ch  lefo', 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane. 

I  got  a  buggy  an'  a  hoss, 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane; 
Come  'long,  honey,  an'  ~be  derboss, 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane. 

I  got  a  house  an'  a  track  er  Ian', 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane; 
Shake  yo'  foot  an'  clap  yo'  han', 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane. 

Come,  my  love,  an'  go  wid  me, 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane; 
An-a  we  will  go  ter  Tennessee, 

Li'l  'Liza  Jane. 

Gassy  and  Tim  were  not  an  openly  acknowledged 
"co'tin-couple,"  and  it  was,  therefore,  not  etiquette  for 
her  to  encourage  him  too  obviously,  so  she  tossed  her 

72 


ME.   HAKE  AND   MR.   FLINT  BOOK 

head  and  said  that  she  had  not  come  there  to  hear  any 
"0?  co'tin'-songs,"  but  in  the  hope  of  listening  to  some 
stories.  Eliza,  the  cook,  as  usual,  took  the  part  of  the 
gentlemen.  Said  she,  "Gal,  de  white  folks  cu'd  git  'long 
widout  butter  on  der  bread,  but  dey  ain'  wanter,  an* 
we-all  cu'd  git  'long  widout  songs,  but  we  ain'  wanter. 
You  s'pose  yo'  'pinion  gwine  mek  any  diff'ns  ter  Tim? 
Sho !  gVay,  gal,  mens  got  sump'n  else  ter  study  'bout 
sidesen  w'at  you  does  lak  an'  w'at  you  doesn'  lak.  But 
ef  you  right  sot  on  yearnin'  tales,  mebbe  we  kin  coax 
Sis'  'Phrony  to  favor  the  comp'ny." 

Aunt  'Phrony  said  that  she  might  be  able  to  remember 
something  if  they  would  give  her  a  little  time  in  which 
to  think  it  up,  and  Janey  begged  that  it  might  be  some- 
thing about  the  much  admired  "01'  Hyar'." 

"Now,  den,"  said  the  story-teller  presently,  "ef  you 
wanter  year  'bout  ol'  man  Hyar',  I  reckon  I  mought  ez 
well  tell  you  'bout  de  time  he  met  up  wid  Flint  Rock, 
'kase  I  kain't  'member  dat  I  has  uver  tol'  you  dat  befo'. 

"One  time  Hyar'  he  year  dat  de  creeturs  wuz  gwine 
have  a  big  darnse,  an'  noration  bin  sont  roun'  dat  de 
queschin  wuz  ter  be  'cided  Vich  un  'em  have  de  fines' 
dress,  an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  he  do,  'Umph !  I  gotter  have 
a  han'  in  dis  thing,  sho'.  Dey  kain't  run  dat  'sputation 
lessen  I'se  dar  ter  he'p  'em  out.  I  ain'  bin  lopin'  roun' 
de  kyountry  all  dese  'ears  fer  nuttin',  neener;  I  boun' 
you  I  gwine  be  ez  well  dress'  ez  de  nex'  un/ 

"So  he  tuck  an'  primp  hisse'f  up  ter  look  ez  harnsum 
ez  he  kin,  an'  set  off  fer  de  darnse,  an'  he  had  hit  in  min' 
dat  ef  he  run  'cross  any  creetur  on  de  way  whar  have  a 
finer  suit  er  clo'es  dan  his,  he  gwine  light  in  an'  git  hit 
'way  ef  he  kin. 

73 


"He  go  clippin'  'long  thu  de  kyountry,  jes'  ez  full  er 
mischief  ez  a  aig  is  er  meat,  an'  w'en  he  kain't  fine  nut- 
tin'  else  ter  do  he  tromple  on  ev'y  po'  li'l  bug  an'  wu'm  he 
see  an'  switch  de  haids  offen  all  de  flow's  ez  he  pass.  He 
trabel  an'  he  trabel  an'  he  trabel,  an'  las'  de  night  come 
down  an'  ketched  him  a  fur  ways  f'um  de  place  whar  de 
darnse  wuz  gwine  be  hilt,  so  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  bein' 
ez  dat  wuz  a  strange  kyountry  an'  he  dunno  de  way 
ve'y  well,  he  bes'  camp  out  fer  de  night. 

"  'Bout  dat  time  he  met  up  wid  Flint  Eock,  a  gre't  big 
ol'  man  wid  gray  hya'r,  settin'  down  by  de  side  uv  de 
road.  He  wuz  so  ol'  dat  de  moss  wuz  growin'  on  his  back, 
an'  he  wuz  so  full  er  rheumatiz  f'um  settin'  out  in  de 
damp  dat  he  kain't  move  fu'm  one  spot  lessen  some  one 
come  'long  an'  gin  him  a  shove.  He  wuz  a  mighty  sol- 
lumcholly  an'  sev'yur  lookin'  ol'  man,  but  co'se  Hyar'  he 
wan't  faze'  by  dat,  so  he  walk  right  up  in  front  uv  him 
an'  stan'  wid  his  ban's  in  his  pockits  an'  say,  'Howdy, 
Mistah  Flint  Eock;  how  does  yo'  bones  seem  ter  stan' 
de  rackit  dese  days  ?' 

"Flint  Eock  he  'spon',  'Howdy,  Mistah  Hyar'— I 
b'lieve  dats  you,  ef  I  ain'  mek  no  mistake.  But  I  ain' 
'zackly  sho',  'kase  my  eyesight  done  fail  me  right  much 
de  las'  'ear  er  so.  How  does  I  fin'  myse'f?  Mighty 
po'ly,  suh,  mighty  po'ly.  Ef  you'd  bin  settin'  out  yer 
in  de  sun  an'  de  rain  an'  de  wind  an'  de  wedder,  in  de  fog 
an'  in  de  damp  ez  many  'ears  ez  w'at  I  is  you  be  chock- 
full  er  rheumatiz,  too.  Yit  I  ain'  complainin',  an'  I 
mek  out  ter  enj'y  myse'f  yit.  W'en  I  wuz  younger  an' 
went  rollin'  thu  dis  onfren'ly  worl'  I  had  a  heap  er  fun 
an'  seed  a  lot  er  sights,  but  now  I  done  sottle  down  yer, 
an'  yer  I  stay,  an'  things  is  kind  er  good  ter  de  ol'  man, 

74 


ME.   HAKE   AND   ME.   FLINT   EOCK 

atter  all.  De  li'l  young  green  things,  ferns  an'  sech, 
dey  creeps  up  clost  ter  my  footses  an'  stays  dar,  an'  de 
lizzu'ds  dey  comes  out  an'  lays  down  on  my  back  ter 
wo'm  derse'fs  in  de  sun,  an'  de  li'l  bu'ds  dey  lights  on 
me  now  an'  den  an'  stays  'long  'nuff  ter  say  'howdy.'  I 
jes'  wall  my  eye  up  at  de  sun  ez  I  set  yer,  an'  he  blink 
down  at  me  right  fren'ly  an'  wo'm  up  my  back  so's  de 
mis'ry  mos'  quit  me.  De  mosses  dey  is  tryin'  ter  kiver 
me  up  so's't  I  kain't  feel  de  col'  wedder  in  my  j'ints. 
Wen  hits  wo'm  de  wind  come  'long  an'  cool  me  off, 
an'  de  rain  gin  me  a  washin'  now  an'  den,  an'  lots  er 
de  creeturs  stops  ez  dey  go  by  an'  lays  down  in  de  shade 
er  me  ter  git  cool,  an'  I  pass  de  time  er  day  wid  'em  an' 
git  all  de  news.  I  jes'  set  yer  an'  look  an'  lissen,  an'  I 
see  an'  year  mo'n  you  uver  dream  uv  'mongs'  de  bu'ds  an' 
de  bsas'eses  an'  de  bugs  an'  de  wu'ms  an'  de  flow's, 
'kase  de  ol'  man  set  yer  so  quiet  dey  think  he  mus'  be 
'sleep,  an'  dey  goes  on  same  'z  ef  I  wan't  roun'.  Yas, 
Mistah  Hyar',  I  cu'd  tell  you  heap  ef  I  wanter.' 

"  'Well,'  sez  de  Hyar,'  sezee,  'dat  suit  my  time  'zackly, 
'kase  I  wuz  kyountin'  on  spendin'  de  night  wid  you,  suh, 
an'  I  reckon  you  ain'  gwine  kyare  ef  I  build  me  a  li'l 
fire  right  'long  side  er  you,  so's't  I  kin  keep  wo'm.  De 
nights  gittin'  right  chilly.' 

"  'Dat  dey  is,'  sez  Flint  Eock,  sezee ;  'I  got  a  crick  in 
my  back  a-raidy.  Goodness  on'y  knows  how  I  gwine  git 
thu  nu'rr  winter.  I  'spec'  one'r  dese  yer  hard  freezes 
gwine  come  'long  an'  jes'  'bout  break  me  all  up.  I  look 
ter  see  dat  happen.  You  g'long  an'  build  dat  fire  an' 
we  kin  set  an'  talk  an'  me  wo'm  up  my  ol'  bones  at  de 
same  time.' 

"Hyar'  he  build  de  fire,  an'  git  him  a  piece  er  wood, 
75 


AT  THE   BIG   HOUSE 

an'  all  de  time  Flint  Eock  wuz  gwine  on  talking  Hyar' 
he  wuz  settin'  dar  wu'kkin'  'way  on  de  wood. 

"Las'  Flint  Eock  he  say,  sezee,  'Mistah  Hyar',  please, 
suh,  ter  'sense  de  cur'osity  uv  a  ol'  man,  but  mought  I 
ax  w'at  is  dat  you  mekin'  ?' 

"Hyar'  he  say,  'W'y,  sut'n'y,  suh;  dish  yer's  a  maul 
an'  dis  a  waidge.' 

"Flint  Eock  he  'spon',  'Yas,  so  'tis,  so  'tis,  I  see  dat 
now.  You  mus'  'sense  me  axin',  'kase  my  sight  so  bad. 
But  mought  I  ax  you,  suh,  w'y  you  mekin'  dat  maul 
an'  dat  waidge  ?' 

"'W'y,  suh,'  sez  Hyar*,  sezee,  Tse  a  mighty  in- 
dush'ous  man,  an'  hit  go  'gins'  de  grain  fer  me  ter  set 
an'  hoi'  my  ban's,  so  w'iles  I  lissen  at  you  I  jes'  do  dis 
ter  keep  my  han'  in  an'  pass  away  de  time.' 

"Pres'n'y  Hyar'  'sense  hisse'f  an'  say  he  mus'  git 
nu'rr  li'l  bit  er  wood,  an'  den  he  go  off  an'  fin'  hisse'f 
a  place  whar  he  kin  hide  w'en  he  wanter.  He  fin'  a 
li'l  kyave,  an'  den  he  walk  back  ter  de  camp,  an'  dar 
wuz  ol'  Flint  Eock,  fas'  asleep  by  de  fire.  Wid  dat  he 
tuck  an'  tuck  de  waidge  an'  putt  hit  at  Flint  Eock's 
year  an'  hit  de  waidge  a  monst'ous  clip  wid  de  maul, 
wow !  an'  ol'  Mistah  Flint  Eock  bus'  in  mo'n  a  hunderd 
pieces.  De  pieces  flewed  high  up  an'  'menced  ter  fall 
thu  de  air,  swish!  zish!  zoum!  An'  w'en  he  see  dat, 
Hyar'  lit  out  fum  dar  an'  hid  hisse'f  in  de  kyave. 

"  'TJmph !'  sezee  ter  hisse'f,  sezee,  'I  done  save'  de  ol' 
man  de  trouble  er  waitin'  fer  de  fros'  ter  break  him  up. 
He  orter  thank  me  fer  puttin'  him  outen  his  mis'ry  fo' 
de  real  col'  wedder  come  on,  dat's  de  trufe.'  Atter  w'ile 
he  say,  'Lan'  er  libbutty !  dis  slow  wu'k  waitin'  yer  in 
de  dark  fer  ol'  Flint  Eock  ter  git  thu  fallin'.  W'en  I 

76 


fefl 


Q 

C 

O 
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ffi 


ME.   HARE   AND   MR.   FLINT  ROCK 


fetched  'im  dat  lick  I  am'  have  no  notion  he  gwine  fly 
in  li'l  bits  lak  dat,  but  hit  right  hard  ter  tell  Vat  some 
folks  gwine  do  'twel  you  tries  'em.  'Pears  ter  me  he 
orter  be  thu  f  allin'  by  now  ;  I  gwine  look  out  an'  see.' 

"Wid  dat  he  poke  his  haid  out.  De  las'  piece  wuz 
f  allin',  an'  suz  !  ef  you'll  b'lieve  me,  hit  tuck  ol'  Hyar* 
plumb  on  de  een'  er  de  nose,  and  dat  huccome  he  bin 
gwine  roun'  wid  a  bent  nose  uver  sence,  an'  all  time 
drorin'  hit  up  an'  down  lak  he  'feard  nu'rr  rock  gwine 
teck  him  on  the  een'  uv  hit  mos'  any  minnit.'  " 

"Why,  Aunt  Nancy  told  us  the  reason  Molly  Hare's 
nose  worked  all  the  time  was  because  she  got  it  frozen," 
Ned  exclaimed. 

"Wat  I  know  'bout  Molly  Hyar5  ?"  said  'Phrony,  with 
scorn  and  some  indignation.  "How  many  mo'  times  is 
I  gofter  tell  you  I  ain'  know  nuttin'  'bout  no  Molly 
Hyar'?  Dis  de  one  de  Injuns  tell  'bout,  an'  he  ain' 
nuver  have  no  wife  't  all,  fur  'z  I  know.  I  done  tol'  you 
he  wuz  a  ol'  bachelder;  ef  he'd  had  a  wife  ter  keep  'im 
straight  he  oon  bin  in  so  much  mischief." 


MR.  WILDCAT  GOES  TURKEY-HUNTING 

"Landy  I"  said  Gassy,  after  the  story  of  old  man  Flint 
Rock,  "ef  dat  Hyar*  am'  beat  all  creashun.  Seem  lak 
he  got  mo'  gumption  dan  all  tu'rr  creeturs  putt  toge'rr. 
Sho !  gimme  a  man  lak  Mistah  Hyar"  whar  got  plenty 
er  git  up  an'  sperit  to  'im."  And  she  tossed  her  head  and 
looked  scornfully  at  Tim. 

"Look  yer,  gal!"  said  'Liza,  "you  dunno  w'at  you 
talkin'  'bout.  Ef  you  kin  lay  yo'  ban'  on  a  good,  stiddy 
man,  you  better  teck  him  an'  thank  yo'  stars.  Dese  yer 
lively,  gaily  folks  lak  Mistah  Hyar'  does  well  'miff  ter 
pass  Vay  de  time  wid,  now  an'  den,  but  w'en  hit  comes 
ter  livin'  wid  'em,  dat's  anu'rr  marter.  Sidesen  dat,  dey 
git  kotch  up  wid  ev'y  now  an'  den,  jes'  lak  Sis'  'Phrony 
bin  tellin'  you.  Mistah  Hyar'  wan't  so  smart  but  w'at  he 
git  his  nose  good  an'  smash." 

"Wellum,"  said  Tim,  in  his  slow  drawl,  "I  bin  studyin' 
heap  'bout  de  creeturs,  an'  I  bin  wunnerin'  ef  dey  don' 
none  un  'em  play  dese  yer  tricks  asseptin'  ol'  Hyar'." 

"Bless  yo'  soul,"  answered  'Phrony,  "dey  all  un  'em 
had  pranks,  mo'  er  less,  some  mo',  some  less.  Now  dar 
Mistah  Sly-fox,  he  kind  er  prankish  sometimes,  an' 
Mistah  Tarr'pin,  too,  an'  I  'members  one  time  w'en 
Mistah  Wil'cat  tucken  hit  in  min'  ter  play  a  trick, 
dough  to  be  sho'  dat  wuz  sort  er  in  de  line  er  bizness, 
w'en  he  wuz  out  fer  de  puppus  er  gittin'  hisse'f  a  din- 
ner." 

78 


ME.  WILDCAT  GOES  TUEKEY-HUNTING 


Coonie,  the  house-boy,  was  sitting  on  the  hearth,  lean- 
ing against  the  chimney  jamb,  head  thrown  back,  more 
than  half  asleep,  but  at  the  mention  of  dinner  he  sat 
up  and  rubbed  his  eyes  and*  asked,  sleepily :  "Dinner  ? 
Dinner  raidy  ?  Maw,  is  I  year  you  say  dinner  ?" 

"Naw,  dat  you  ain',"  said  'Liza.  "I  done  fill  you  up 
wid  vittles  no  mo'n  a.  hour  ago,  an'  yer  you  is  axin'  f er 
mo'.  'Pears  lak  I  kain't  keep  you  filled ;  you  is  wusser 
dan  any  oP  wil'cat  dat  uver  tromped  de  woods.  Go 
on,  Sis'  'Phrony,  an'  tell  us  'bout  Mistah  Wil'cat  an' 
his  dinner." 

"I  done  tol'  you  he  wuz  out  fer  de  puppus  er  fillin' 
up,"  'Phrony  went  on,  "an'  he  wuz  dat  hongry  hit  'pear 
ter  him  he  wan't  nuttin'  but  one  big  holler  f'um  de  top 
uv  his  haid  ter  de  tip  uv  his  tail,  one'r  dese  yer  hollers 
whar  jes'  natchelly  mek  a  man  git  up  an'  hump  hisse'f 
ontwel  hits  filled.  He  go  traipsin'  up  an'  down,  lookin' 
behime  ev'y  bush  an'  up  ev'y  tree  an'  yit  he  kain't  fin' 
nuttin'.  Las'  he  got  so  mad  he  'gun  ter  gnash  his  toofs 
an'  spit  an'  snarl  an'  hump  his  back  up  an'  rub  'gin'  de 
trees,  an'  all  de  time  his  eyes  wuz  shinin'  lak  plumb  balls 
er  fire,  an'  he  wuz  dat  rantankerous  dat  no  pusson  'ud 
want  ter  meet  up  wid  'im. 

"Bout  dat  time  he  seed  a  flock  uv  wil'-tukkies,  an'  he 
'low  ter  hisse'f  dat  tukkey  'ud  jes'  'bout  fit  de  size  er 
his  mouf,  dough  he  ain'  knowin'  how  he  gwine  git  at 
'em.  He  crope  up  an'  he  crope  up,  an'  las'  he  wuz  near 
'nuff  ter  watch  'em.  Dey  wuz  hol'in'  a  darnse,  de 
funnies'  you  uver  see  er  year  tell  'bout.  Der  tails  wuz 
all  spread  out  lak  a  fan  an'  de  gobblers  wuz  all  puff'  up 
an'  struttin'  fit  ter  kill,  w'iles  de  ladiz  wuz  mekin'  gre't 
'miration  over  'em  an'  follerin'  atter  'em,  steppin'  high 

79 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


lak  dey  wuz  trompin'  on  aigs,  an'  gwine  roun'  an*  roun' 
in  a  succle,  lookin'  mighty  proud  an'  kyar'yin'  der  haids 
high  in  de  air  an'  balancin'  wid  der  necks  at  ev'y  step. 

"Wil'cat  grin  so't  he  show  ev'y  toof  in  his  haid,  an' 
he  say  ter  hisse'f,  sezee,  'Um-umph!  some  dem  ladiz 
gwine  laugh  on  de  wrong  side  der  moufs  'fo'  long.  Ef 
dey  on'y  knowed  w'at  comin'  dey'd  quit  dat  foolishness 
an'  use  dem  laigs  ter  git  outen  dis.  Good  thing  fer  me 
dey  is  fools.  I  reckon  I'd  have  mighty  po'  pickin's  ef 
der  wan't  so  many  fool  creeturs  gwine  up  an'  down  de 
face  er  de  yearf .' 

"De  tukkies  wuz  darnsin'  down  in  a  li'l  holler,  an' 
Wil'cat  he  crope  roun'  ter  de  top  er  de  hill  an'  tucken 
de  game  hag  whar  he  bringed  wid  him,  an'  crawled  inter 
hit.  Den  he  turnt  hisse'f  aloose  an'  rolled  over  an'  over 
down  de  hill,  bimpitty,  bumpitty,  bampitty,  him!  an' 
lan'ed  right  in  de  midse  er  de  tukkies. 

"Dey  wuz  dat  'stonish  dey  ain'  know  w'at  ter  do,  but 
w'en  de  bag  stan'  up  on  een'  an'  'gun  ter  r'ar  an'  charge 
roun',  dem  po'  creeturs  wuz  plumb  stunded,  too  'stracted 
even  ter  run.  No  wunner  dey  wuz  dat-a-way,  fer  uv  all 
de  doin's  anyb'dy  uver  see,  Mistah  Wil'cat's  tuck  de 
lead.  Ter  see  nuttin'  but  a  ol'  bag  jumpin'  high  in  de 
air  an'  turnin'  somersets  an'  rollin'  on  de  groun'  an' 
den  gittin'  up  an'  doin'  all  sawts  er  steps,  dat  'ud  'a  bin 
jes'  too  much  fer  any  pusson,  let  'lone  dem  fool  tukkies. 

"W'en  he  git  'em  kind  er  daze'  an'  'stracted  he  step 
outen  de  bag  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Howdy,  ladiz  an'  gem- 
men,  howdy !  I  hope  I  sees  you  well  an'  in  de  enj'ymint 
er  good  healf .  I  seed  you  down  yer  havin'  a  pow'ful 
good  time,  an'  I  had  de  insurance  ter  jine  you  an'  give 
you  a  eenvite  ter  teck  a  roll  down  hill  in  dish  yer  bag  er 

80 


Las'  He  Wuz  Near  'Nuff  Ter  Watch  'Em 


Page  7 


ME.  WILDCAT  GOES  TUKKEY-HUNTING 

mine.  Yon-all  think  darnsin'  is  fun,  but  hits  mighty 
po'  shucks  'long  side  er  de  sport  er  rollin'  down  hill  in  a 
bag.  Dem  whar  ain'  tried  hit  dunno  nuttin'  't  all  'bout 
hit,  an'  w'ats  mo',  dey  ain'  gwdne  know  lessen  dey  tries 
hit.  Come  one,  come  all !  Step  up,  ladiz  an'  gemmen ; 
de  f us'  one  in  gits  de  fus'  ride.  I'll  tote  you  ter  de  top 
er  de  hill  an'  give  you  a  shove  down.  Dellaws!  w'at 
y'all  hang  back  fer?  Y'all  so  p'lite  I  'spec'  you  'feard 
you  be  onmannerly  ef  you  gits  in  fus'.  Nemmine  'bout 
dat,  I'll  gin  you  ev'y  one  a  whu'l.  Step  in,  step  in,  my 
time  mighty  val'able.  I  gotter  be  movin'  outer  dis  'fo' 
long  an'  I  dunno  w'en  I  gwine  come  dis  way  ag'in.  You 
dunno  w'at  yer  missin'  ef  you  let  dis  chanct  slip  by. 
Sho' !  I  thought  y'all  had  sense  'nun9  ter  know  a  good 
thing  w'en  you  seed  hit.' 

"Two  er  th'ee  er  de  ladiz  mek  up  der  min's  dey'd  lak 
ter  try  de  new  sport,  jes'  out  er  cur'osity,  an'  dey  went 
tippin'  up  to'des  Mistah  Wil'cat  whar  he'z  hoPin'  de 
mouf  er  de  bag  open.  Jes'  den  a  ol'  gobbler  step  up 
befo'  em.  'Twuz  Mistah  Wi'yum  Wil'-tukkey,  jes'  a 
struttin'  an'  a  puffin'.  His  fedders  wuz  shinin'  in  de 
sunlight  lak  brunze,  an'  his  laigs  wuz  raid  an'  his  neck 
blue,  wid  warts  stannin'  out  over  hit,  an'  he  have  on  de 
fine  by'ud  an'  wattles  whar  he  stole  'way  f'um  Mistah 
Tarry-long  Tarr'pin.  He  sut'n'y  look  harnsum,  an'  he 
sut'n'y  ac'  lak  he  knowed  hit.  He  step  up  befo'  de 
ladiz  an'  bresh  'em  ter  one  side  an'  say,  'Naw,  ladiz, 
rollin'  down  hill  ain'  no  fitten  'musemint  fer  wimmins ; 
leave  dat  fer  de  mens.  G'long  home  an'  tend  ter  y'all's 
famblies.  Ef  de  trufe  wuz  knowed,  I  'spec  yo*  chillen  is 
all  scattered  out  inter  de  bresh  by  derse'f  s  dis  ve'y  minnit 


83 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


whar  sump'n  boun*  ter  git  'em.  'Spectable  wimmins 
darnsin'  at  yo'  time  er  life !  Wimmin-f oiks  ain'  got  no 
bizness  w'ay  f 'um  home,  nohows ;  sho'  ter  git  inter  mis- 
chief an'  do  sump'n  nu'rr  dat  ain'  fitten  fer  'em  ter  do. 
Set  still  an'  'have  yo'se'f s  an'  let  de  men-folks  'tend  ter 
de  runnin'  roun'.  Lawdy,  lawdy !  I  kain't  see  w'y  you 
all  de  time  wantin'  ter  do  lak  de  men-folks  does !' 

"Wid  dat  he  flounce  hisse'f  inter  de  bag,  an'  Wil'cat 
he  dror  de  strings  in  a  jiff,  an'  de  way  he  lit  out  f'um 
dat  place  inter  de  low-groun's  wuz  a  caution  ter  de 
beholdens.  Ez  he  go  chargin'  thu  de  bresh  he  yell  back, 
'Good  by,  ladiz,  saw'y  ter  run  off  wid  de  haid  er  de 
fambly,  but  y'all  mus'n'  fault  me  fer  dat.  He  would 
be  de  fus'  in  de  bag.  Dat  w'at  he  git  fer  not  bein'  p'lite 
'nuff  ter  let  de  ladiz  have  fus'  chanct.  Ladiz  fus'  ev'y 
time,  I  ses!  Dat's  me.  Whoop-ee!  good-by,  ev'yb'dy! 
see  y'all  ag'in  some  urr  time  w'en  I  git  hongry.' 

"De  tukkies  dey  flewed  up  wid  a  gre't  cryin'  an'  flut- 
teration,  an'  dey  wan't  seed  no  mo'  in  dat  place,  I  kin 
tell  you,  ner  nob'dy  uver  bin  able  ter  'suade  one  ter  putt 
haid  in  a  bag  sence  dat  time ;  dey  done  'member  hit  too 
well.  Dey  flewed  off  gobblin'  an'  gabblin',  an'  one  ol' 
un  she  say  ter  tu'rrs,  TTh-huh!  'pears  lak  some  er  de 
mens  gits  inter  trouble  w'en  dey  g'way  f'um  home,  well 
ez  de  wimmins.  I  don'  see  but  w'at.  we  got  jes'  ez  much 
sense  ez  dat  ol'  Wi'yum  Wil'-tukkey,  atter  all.  I  reckon 
he'd  lak  ter  change  places  wid  us  dis  ve'y  minnit.* 

"An'  dey  all  flapped  der  wings  an'  ses,  'Yas,  lawd!' 
<Truf  e,  too !'  <I  boun'  you !' " 


84 


ME.  FOX  TURNS  FARMER 

When  Aunt  'Phrony  had  finished  telling  how  the 
WiPcat  caught  Mr.  William  Wild-turkey  it  was  Aunt 
Nancy's  turn  to  entertain  the  company.  The  children 
reminded  her  of  a  story  she  had  once  told  them  about 
certain  shrewd  practices  of  Mr.  Hare's  by  which  he  cir- 
cumvented Mr.  Sly-fox,  and  they  wanted  to  know  why 
it  was  that  he  always  got  ahead  of  the  other  animals. 

"I  dunno  jes'  huccome  so,"  she  said,  "but  'pears  ter 
me  dem  gre't  big  eyes  an'  dem  long  years  is  w'at  he'p 
him  out;  he  see  an'  year  mo'  wid  'em  in  a  minnit  dan 
urr  folks  knowin'  in  a  week,  an'  den  he  set  up  on  his 
ha'nches  an'  wu'k  his  nose,  sort  er  so,  an'  study  w'at 
use  he  kin  putt  hit  all  to  in  de  way  er  meanness,  all  de 
time  lookin'  jes'  ez  meek  an'  innercent  ez  a  lamb." 

"Were  he  and  the  fox  friends  afterwards  ?"  asked  Ned. 
"I  bet  I'd  a-thrashed  him  good  if  he  came  fooling  around 
me." 

"Well,"  said  Aunt  Nancy,  "dey  kind  er,  sort  er  patch 
hit  up,  but  der  feelin's  wuz  wu'kkin'  un'need  all  de  w'ile 
an'  boun'  ter  riz  up  ter  de  top  sometime,  same  'z  dish  yer 
barm  I  putts  inter  de  wheat-bread.  But  Fox  he  'low  ter 
hisse'f  dat  mebbe  he  kin  mek  use  er  ol'  Hyar'  an'  git 
evin  wid  him  at  one  an'  de  same  lick,  so  one  day  he  call 
roun'  at  ol'  man  Hyar's,  an'  atter  dey  pass  de  time  er 
day,  he  say,  'Mistah  Hyar',  I  gittin'  mighty  tired  er  dish 

85 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


yer  huntin'  an*  fishin'  bizness.  Hits  hard  wu'k,  suh, 
hard  wu'k,  an'  my  ol'  ooman  she  gittin'  kind  er  raspy 
'kase  I  ain'  bring  home  mo'  vittles  ter  her  an'  de  chillens. 
I  tell  her  dis  mawnin'  I  b'lieve  I  gwine  go  in  de  farmin' 
bizness,  an'  she  tucken  ter  de  notion,  but  she  say  I 
kain't  do  hit  by  myse'f,  dat  I  'bleeged  ter  have  he'p,  an' 
she  'low,  she  did,  dat  mebbe  me  an'  you  cu'd  go  in 
cahoots  in  dis  marter,  fer  hit  well  knowin'  ter  ev'y- 
b'dy  dat  you  is  a  gre't  han'  fer  all  sorts  er  gyardin- 
truck.' 

"Eight  dar  Fox  grin  ter  hisse'f,  'kase  hit  wuz  de  sho'- 
'nuff  trufe  dat  Hyar'  wuz  fond  er  gyardin-truck,  mo* 
'special  w'at  come  outen  urr  f olkses  gyardins. 

"Mis'  Molly  Hyar'  she  wuz  doin'  chores  roun'  de  house, 
stoppin'  now  an'  den  wid  her  ban's  on  her  hips  ter  lissen 
at  'em  talk  er  ter  cuff  one'r  de  chillens,  fer  Bunny  an* 
Honey  wuz  rollin'  in  de  ashes  on  de  ha'th,  an'  Jumper 
an'  Thumper  wuz  playin'  leap-frog,  an'  Winker  an' 
Blinker  wuz  tryin'  ter  pull  de  water-pail  over.  "She  go 
roun'  behime  her  ol'  man  an'  hunch  him  in  de  back 
an'  whusper  in  his  year,  'Spunk  up,  now,  Mistah  Hyar', 
an'  tell  him  you  go  in  cahoots  wid  'im,  'kase  dish  yer's 
yo'  chanct  ter  fool  'im  ag'in.' 

"So  Hyar'  he  do  lak  he  studyin'  'bout  hit,  an'  las'  he 
say,  sezee,  'Well,  I  dunno  'bout  dis  gyardin-truck,  'kase 
hit  pe'ish  out  in  de  col'  wedder;  I  bin  studyin'  'bout 
lettin'  dat  go  an'  raisin'  me  a  cawn  crap  dat  las'  all  thu 
de  winter.'  He  say  dat  'kase  he  knew  mighty  well  he 
gwine  live  offen  urr  folkses  gyardins  in  de  summer,  but 
he  ain'  knowin'  w'at  he  gwine  do,  'zackly,  'bout  vittles 
fer  de  winter. 

"Fox  say  dat  he  'gree  ter  de  cawn  crap,  an'  den  Hyar' 
86 


ME.   FOX   TUENS   FAEMEE 

lean  his  haid  on  his  han'  an'  do  lak  he  study  some  mo*. 
Las'  he  say,  sezee,  'I  dunno  Vat  we  gwine  do  'bout 
plowin'.  De  groun'  orter  be  bruk  up  dis  ve'y  day,  an' 
yer  me  all  lame'  up  f  um  dat  las'  spell  er  rheumatiz.  I 
be  mighty  saw'y  ter  see  you  start  in  by  yo'se'f,  but  I 
kain't  see  de  way  outen  hit.  I  'low  de  wedder  gwine  be 
li'l  wo'mmer  atter  w'iles  an'  den  I  kin  light  in  an'  do  de 
wu'k  er  two  mens  ter  mek  up  f  er  dis.' 

"Fox  kind  er  'spicion  dat  Hyar'  was  f oolin'  him,  but 
he  wuz  de  green  han'  in  de  farmin'  bizness  an'  hatter 
be  showed  how  ter  do  de  wu'k,  so  he  kain't  say  nuttin'. 
He  tromp  all  day  over  de  rough  clods,  drivin'  de  plow, 
'twel  his  ban's  wuz  all  blistu'd,  an'  he  wuz  dat  tired  he 
hatter  hoi'  onter  de  plow  hannels  ter  keep  f'um  drap- 
pin'.  All  dat  time  ol'  man  Hyar'  wuz  settin'  at  home 
in  de  arm-cheer,  smokin'  an'  teckin'  hit  easy.  He  'ud 
grin  ter  hisse'f  ev'y  now  an'  den,  an'  w'en  Mis'  Hyar' 
ax  him  w'at  de  marter,  he  'ud  tell  her,  'Oh,  nuttin,  nut- 
tin'  't  all,  jes'  a  li'l  spazzum  er  de  jaw,  'twon't  las', 
don'  'mount  ter  nuttin',  nohow/  But  Mis'  Hyar*  too 
smart  ter  be  tucken  in  dat-a-way;  she  knowed  sump'n 
wuz  up,  an'  she  go  off  moufin'  ter  husse'f,  'Shucks !  ef 
dar's  one  thing  I  hate  mo'n  anu'rr  hits  ter  see  a  fool 
man  settin'  up  laughin'  ter  hisse'f  w'en  nob'dy  else 
knows  w'at  de  joke  is;  looks  too  triflin'  fer  any  use. 
'Pears  lak  he  mus'  be  laughin'  at  you  er  else  at  de  empty 
air,  one'r  de  two,  an'  nob'dy  but  a  plumb  ijit  gwine  do 
dat  las'.' 

"W'en  plantin'  time  come,  Hyar'  drug  hisse'f  out  ter 
de  fiel'  an'  let  de  cawn  run  thu  his  fingers  lak  he'z  so 
weak  he  kain't  hoi'  onter  hit.  Den,  all  ter  onct,  he  wuz 
tucken  wid  a  fit  er  de  shivers  an'  trimmle  lak  a  aspum, 

87 


an'  he  say  he  b'lieve  he  gittin'  de  bone-hreak  fever,  an* 
he  'bleeged  ter  go  home  an'  git  on  de  baid. 


"Wen  de  time  done  come  ter  wu'k  de  cawn,  Hyar' 
tucken  a  hoe  an'  g'longed  ter  one  een'  uv  a  row  an'  tol' 
Fox  ter  begin  at  tu'rr  een',  an'  den  dey'd  meet  in  de  mid- 
dle, an'  dat  way  each  man  be  sho'  ter  do  half.  I  let  you 


ME.    FOX   TURFS    FARMER 

know  he  wuz  mighty  slow  at  his  een'  er  de  row  an'  w'en 
dey  wuz  'bout  ter  meet,  he  'mence  ter  sing  songs  an' 
tell  tales  an'  cut  sech  shines  dat  ol'  Fox  ain'  notuss 
how  li'l  wu'k  bin  done  at  dat  een'  er  de  line.  Wen 
Hyar'  see  he  done  got  Fox's  min'  clean  offen  de  wu'k, 
he  tuck  him  by  de  shoulder,  right  fren'ly  an'  familious, 
an'  turn  him  roun'  tu'rr  way,  an'  den  he  say:  'Well, 
well,  ol'  man,  you  hasn'  come  near  half-way,  but  you 
does  mighty  well  fer  a  green  han'.  Jes'  you  g'long 
back  ter  de  een'  er  de  nex'  row,  an'  w'en  we  meets  ag'in, 
lessee  ef  you  kain't  git  li'l  mo'  nearer  ter  de  middle.' 

"Ef  Fox  had  look  behime  'im  he  'ud  'a  knowed  he 
bin  fooled,  but  he  ain'  have  de  sense  ter  do  dat,  so  he  go 
trudgin'  an'  trampin'  all  de  way  down  de  row,  w'iles 
Hyar'  he  gin  a  hop,  skip  an'  jump  an'  wuz  back  in  his 
place  in  a  jiff,  'kase  he  ain'  have  fur  fer  ter  go. 

"Dey  kep'  hit  up  dat-a-way  ontwel  shuckin'  time,  w'en 
dey  wuz  ter  'vide  de  crap.  Den  Hyar'  he  say,  sezee,  'I 
done  had  de  mos'  spe'yunce  an'  sidesen  dat  I  is  good  at 
figgers,  so  I  reckon  I  bes'  do  de  kyountin'  an'  let  you 
do  de  shuckin'.'  So  Mistah  Fox  he  sot  down  below  an' 
pullt  de  shucks  offen  de  cawn  an'  th'owed  de  years  up 
ter  ol'  Hyar',  whar  wuz  stannin'  up  in  de  cawn-crib  ter 
ketch  'em. 

"He  kyount  straight  fer  li'l  w'ile,  'kase  he  seed  Fox 
cuttin'  his  eye  up  at  'im  ev'y  now  an'  den,  but  pres'n'y, 
w'en  he  think  he  got  'im  offen  de  scent  an'  de  cawn  'gin 
ter  pile  up  roun'  'im  so't  Fox  cu'dden  see  'im  ve'y 
well,  he  lit  out  inter  meanness  ag'in  an'  start  ter 
kyountin'  wrong.  All  de  time  he  wuz  singin'  a  ol'-time 
shuckin'-song  whar  run  lak  dis : 

89 


AT   THE   BIG  HOUSE 

'Husk-o  up  an'-a-husk-o  down, 
An'-a-husko,  husk-o  all  aroun'f 
Turn,  0  ladiz,  turn,  turn, 
Somebody's  at  de  winder.' 

"W'en  he  sing  Tmsk-o  up/  he  kotch  a  year  er  cawn, 
an*  w'en  he  sing  Imsk-o  down/  he  mek  lak  he  th'ow  hit 
on  Fox's  heap,  but  stidder  dat  he  pass  hit  roun'  behime 
him  w'en  he  say  Tiusk-o,  husk-o  all  aroun'/  an'  w'en  he 
say  'Turn,  0  ladiz,  turn,  turn/  he  drap  hit  sof'ly  onter 
his  own  heap.  He  do  dat  ev'y  urr  time,  an'  I  ses  ter 
you  dat  w'en  dey  got  thu,  ol'  man  Fox  come  out  at  de 
li'l  een'  er  de  hawn,  wid  a  pow'ful  po'  showin'  er  cawn. 

"Fox  scratch  his  haid  an'  feel  mighty  jubous.  He 
say,  Ter  I  is,  done  wu'k  day  in. an'  day  out,  rain  er 
shine.  Done  plow,  done  sow,  done  hoe,  done  harves', 
an'  dish  yer  li'l  heap  er  cawn  all  I  got  ter  show  fer  hit. 
Sump'n  wrong,  sump'n  'bleeged  ter  be  wrong,  yit  I 
kain't  jes'  prezackly  putt  my  paw  on  hit.  I  boun'  ol' 
Hyar'  know  mighty  well  Vat  'tis.  But  'tain'  no  use 
ter  ax  him  ques'hins  ner  argyfy,  'kase  he  boun'  ter  slip 
outen  hit,  somehow.  I  wish  't  I  had  'im  yer  dis  ve'y 
minnit,  de  trash-er-de-worl' !  I  boun'  I'd  teck  de  natchel 
hide  offen  'im.' 

"Jes'  'bout  den  Hyar*  come  sa'nterin'  'long  an'  year 
de  las'  wu'ds  whar  Mistah  Fox  done  say.  'Who  dat  you 
gwine  teck  de  hide  offen  him  ?'  sezee.  'Oh,  nuttin'  't  all, 
Mistah  Hyar',  nuttin'  't  all ;  jes'  one'r  my  chillens  whar 
bin  talkin'  up  sassy  ter  his  maw  w'iles  I  bin  'way  f'um 
home,  farmin'.  Chillen  gittin'  mighty  'sumptious  dese 
days,  Mistah  Hyar' ;  mighty  'sumptious,  suh ;  an'  we-all 
mus'n'  spare  de  rod  lessen  we  wants  ter  spile  de  chil'.' 

90 


MR.    FOX   TURNS   FARMER 

"In  co'se  Hyar'  wan't  tucken  in  by  dat  talk  'bout  de 
'havishness  er  Mistah  Fox's  chil',  but  he  pass  hit  over 
an'  say,  mighty  fren'ly:  'Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox,  how 
'bout  dat  'tater  crap  uv  ow'n?  We  mus'  be  gittin'  dat 
in  soon  er  Jack  Fros'  gwine  come  'long  an'  git  de  good 
uv  hit  bef  o'  we-all.' 

"Dat  wuz  de  time  Fox  think  he  see  de  chanct  ter  git 
ahaid  er  ol'  Hyar'.  He  wuz  dat  green  'bout  farmin'  he 
am'  know  dat  de  good  part  er  de  'tater  crap  wuz  un'need 
de  groun' ;  he  think  de  good  part's  on  top,  same  ez  wid 
de  cawn  crap,  w'ich  wuz  de  on'ies  one  he  know  anything 
'bout ;  so  he  say,  "Well,  Mistah  Hyar',  ef  hit  be  Agreeable 
unter  you,  I'd  lak  ter  spar'  you  all  dat  kyountin'  biz- 
ness  you  done  went  thu  wid  wid  de  cawn,  an'  so  I  ses 
le's  we  'vide  up  de  'tater  crap  dis-a-way :  me  tek  all  dat's 
in  sight,  you  tek  all  dat's  outer  sight ;  me  all  dat's  'bove 
de  groun',  you  all  dat's  un'need  hit.' 

"Hyar'  wuz  dat  tickelt  he  kain't  keep  his  face  straight, 
so  he  turn  his  back  an'  say,  '  'Scuse  me  jes'  one  minnit, 
Mistah  Slickry,  I  got  a  bite,  an'  I'se  'bleeged  ter  tend 
ter  hit.'  His  sides  shuk  so't  he'z  feard  Fox  might  see 
'im  an'  back  outen  de  bargum.  But  Fox  so  please'  wid 
de  notion  er  comin'  hit  over  oP  Hyar'  dat  he  am'  notuss 
nuttin'. 

"Hyar'  turn  roun'  pres'n'y  an'  do  lak  he  study  li'l 
bit,  an'  den  he  say:  'Mistah  Fox,  I  reckon  I  hatter 
'gree  ter  dis  'rangemint,  f er  you  done  wu'k  right  fait'ful, 
but  'pears  lak  hit  kind  er  one-sided,  'kase  ev'yb'dy  know- 
in'  dat  'tater-tops  mek  mighty  tasty  greens,  same  time  't 
dey  knows  de  wuf'lessness  er  de  roots.  Nemmine,  I 
gwine  do  lak  you  sez.? 

"Den  Fox  go  all  thu  de  'tater-patch  cuttin'  off  de 
91 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


tops,  an'  Hyar'  foller  'long  atter  'im  diggin'  up  de 
roots,  an'  bofe  un  'em  wuz  so  please'  wid  w'at  dey  doin' 
dat  dey  hatter  stop  ev'y  now  an'  den  an'  go  off  li'l  ways 
ter  laugh.  Den  dey'd  come  back  an'  be  mighty  sof- 
soapy,  an'  offer  ter  he'p  one  nu'rr,  an'  den  wu'k  on 
'twel  dey  'bleeged  ter  bus'  out  ag'in.  Las'  dey  wuz  thu, 
an*  Fox  went  trundlin'  off  home,  staggerin'  unner  de 
gre't  load  er  'tater-tops  he  wuz  kyar'yin'  on  his  haid. 
Wen  he  git  dar  he  wish  he  done  stay  'way,  fer  Mis' 
Fox  she  know  mo'  'bout  sech  ez  dat  dan  he'  ol'  man  did. 
She  say,  'Wat  you  got  dar,  all  wilt'  up  ?' 

"He  say :  *  'Tater-tops.  Mek  fine  greens.' 

"Den  she  jes'  natchelly  putt  her  mouf  on  'im  an' 
let  'im  know  w'at  she  think. 

"'I  boun'  dat  wuf'less  Hyar'  done  tol'  you  dat,'  sez 
she,  'an'  w'at's  mo',  I  'low  dat  ol'  ooman  er  his'n,  dat 
ol'  Molly  Cotton-tail,  done  putt  him  up  to  hit ;  drat  dat 
ooman!'  sez  she.  'Me  settin'  home  yer  slavin'  fer  you 
an'  de  chillens  w'iles  you  off  on  dat  f armin'  bizness,  an' 
now  we-all  gotter  go  hongry  an'  let  dem  hyar's  nibble 
up  all  de  'taters  you  done  wu'k  so  hard  ter  raise.  W'at 
is  I  done  dat  I  hatter  be  tied  to  a  man  so  onignoran' 
he  dunno  'taters  grows  un'need  de  groun',  an'  so  shif  - 
less  dat  he  let  me  an'  my  chillens  go  hongry  ?  I  reckon 
you  bes'  let  farmin'  lone  an'  go  back  ter  yo'  huntin'  an' 
fishin',  dat  is,  ef  you  got  sense  'miff  ter  keep  ol'  man 
Hyar'  f  um  gittin'  han's  on  ev'ything,  atter  you  done 
bag  hit.' 

"He  am'  say  nuttin';  he  wuz  dat  outdone  he  kain't 
even  jaw  de  ol'  ooman,  but  f'um  dat  time  ontwel  dis 
day  an'  gineration,  no  pusson  uver  year  tell  er  Mistah 


ME.    FOX   TURNS    FAEMEE 

Slickry  Sly-fox  meddlin'  wid  farmin'.  Hyar'  done  kyore 
him  er  dat. 

"An'  now  I  gotter  mosey  home/'  added  the  old 
woman  with  a  huge  yawn  which  she  politely,  but  vainly, 
tried  to  smother,  "an'  I  reckon  you  chillen  better  be 
movin',  too,  er  de  San'  Man  gwine  ketch  you  betwix* 
yer  an'  de  house,  an'  you  won't  git  home  dis  night." 


93 


HOW  THE  'POSSUM'S  TAIL  BECAME  BARE 

The  children,  in  roaming  through  the  woods  one  day, 
came  in  sight  of  the  little  clearing  where  Aunt  'Phrony's 
cabin  stood,  so  hidden  in  the  midst  of  tall  pines  that 
its  existence  was  unsuspected  until  you  were  fairly 
on  it.  The  old  woman  was  in  her  tobacco-patch,  stoop- 
ing down  and  looking  the  plants  over  carefully,  leaf  by 
leaf,  in  search  of  insects. 

The  children  ran  toward  her  as  fast  as  their  little 
legs  could  carry  them,  crying:  "Oh!  there's  Aunt 
'Phrony !  there's  Aunt  'Phrony !  Please,  Aunt  'Phrony, 
stop  and  tell  us  a  story." 

She  went  on  with  her  work,  looking  up  at  the  children 
sidewise,  now  and  then,  and  muttering  as  if  half  to  her- 
self:  "Dunno  no  mo'  tales,  dese  chillen  done  drug  'em 
all  outen  me  long  befo'  now.  Sidesen  dat,  s'pose  I 
stops  my  wu'k,  who  gwine  git  dis  'baccy?  W'y,  de 
bugs  an'  de  wu'ms,  dat  who.  An'  w'en  de  winter  done 
come  an'  I  wanster  set  'long  side  de  fire  wid  my  pipe, 
whar  I  gwine  git  me  any  'baccy?  Kin  y'all  tell  me 
dat?" 

"Buy  it,"  suggested  Janey;  "there's  lots  and  lots  of 
stores  in  town  where  they  don't  sell  anything  else." 

Aunt  'Phrony  raised  her  hands  and  rolled  her  eyes. 
"Fer  de  Ian'  sake!"  said  she,  "does  y'all  think  I  made 
er  money?  Am'  I  knowin'  dat  dar's  plenty  sto's  an* 

94 


HOW  THE  'POSSUM'S  TAIL  BECAME  BAEE 

plenty  'baccy,  but  de  money  ain'  so  plenty,  I  kin  tell 
you.  Whar  you  reckon  I  git  de  money  ?" 

"Out  of  my  bank,"  piped  up  little  Kit,  nodding 
his  head  so  fast  that  the  yellow  curls  bobbed  and  danced 
on  his  shoulders,  "out  of  my  'ittle  bank.  I'se  dot  'lev- 
enty-five  coppers  in  it,  an'  I'll  div  'em  all  to  Aunt 
'Phrony  when  the  naughty  bugs  and  worms  eat  up  her 
'baccy.  'Eslwill!" 

The  old  woman's  heart  was  softened  by  the  generosity 
of  the  little  boy,  so  she  stopped  work  and  gave  him  a 
hug,  saying :  "Bless  de  baby !  now  jes'  f er  dat  I  gwine 
gin  him  a  story  all  fer  hisse'f,  dat  I  is.  Ef  you  'haves 
yo'se'fs,  de  res'  er  you  kin  lissen,  too,  I  reckon,  but  I 
wants  y'all  ter  know  dat  dis  tale  b'longs  ter  de  li'l  boy 
whar  settin'  right  yer  by  me. 

"I  nigh  mos'  think  I  gwine  tell  'bout  ol'  'Possum 
an5  his  doin's,  'kase  he's  de  man  whar  seem  ter  riz  up  in 
front  er  my  min'  dis  day.  Ef  y'all  ain'  seed  him, 
y'ain'  knowin'  dat  he  got  a  tail  mos'  ez  long  ez  w'at 
he  is,  an'  dat  bare  dat  Mistah  Eat  hatter  git  up  early 
in  de  mawnin'  ter  show  de  ekal  uv  hit.  But  in  de  day 
an'  time  whar  I  tells  you  'bout,  hit  wan't  dat-a-way. 
His  tail  wuz  jes'  ez  big  an'  bushy  an'  harnsum  ez  de 
one  ol'  Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox  have  sech  a  time  hidin' 
'way  f'um  de  houn's  an'  de  hunters.  An'  ef  he  wan't 
proud  er  dat  tail,  den  I  dunno  proud  w*en  I  see  hit. 
Nair*  fine  day  dat  ol'  Mistah  Poky  'Possum  ain'  go 
perawderin'  thu  de  woods  wid  dat  tail  hilt  high  up  in 
de  air  fer  tu'rr  creeturs  ter  look  at  an'  mek  'miration 
over.  He  g'long  switchin'  hisse'f  sump'n  lak  Miss  Janey 
do  Ven  she  git  on  dat  new  raid  dress.  De  creeturs 
dey  stood  hit  fer  so  long  time,  an'  den  dey  call  a  meetin' 

95 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

ter  talk  de  bizness  over  an'  see  w'at  dey  gwine  do  'bout 
hit,  'kase  dey  wuz  all  er  one  min',  dat  sump'n  'bleeged 
ter  be  done. 

"Mistah  Creechy  Cricket  he  wuz  dar,  tryin'  ter  keep 
a  still  tongue  in  his  haid  long  'nuff  ter  year  w'at  tu'rr 
folks  wuz  sayin',  but  'twuz  mighty  hard  wu'k,  'kase  he 
wuz  one'r  dese  yer  talky-talky  mens  whar  wanster  keep 
der  chins  goin'  all  de  time.  He  nuver  let  his  oF  ooman 
slip  in  a  wu'd  f'um  one  'ear's  een'  ter  tu'rr;  you  ain' 
nuver  year  a  chirp  yit  outen  Mis'  Cricket.  Ev'y  now 
an'  den  endurin'  er  de  meetin'  he  let  out  a  chirp,  an' 
dar  whar  he  putt  his  foot  in  hit,  fer  w'en  tu'rr  creeturs 
yearn  him,  dat  gin  'em  a  notion,  an'  dey  ses  ter  one 
nu'rr,  'Hi!  he  de  one  ter  git  atter  oP  'Possum  an'  gin 
'im  a  sho'-'nuff  tongue-lashin'  an'  tell  'im  jes'  prezackly 
w'at  we-all  thinks  uv  'im.' 

"So  dey  name  hit  ter  Cricket,  but  he  shake  his  haid 
an'  say,  'Huh-uh,  gemmen,  I  lak  mighty  well  ter  'com- 
modate  you  'bout  dis,  but  me  an'  Mistah  'Possum  done 
fall  out  some  sev'l  'ears  back,  an'  sence  den  I  ain'  bin 
speakin'  wid  'im — w'en  I  kin  he'p  hit.'  Eight  dar  tu'rr 
creeturs  nudge  one  nu'rr  an'  wipe  off  a  grin  on  der 
coat-sleeves,  fer  dey  knowed  Cricket  jes'  'bleeged  ter 
let  out  a  chirp  now  an'  den,  'kase  he  got  one'r  dese  yer 
tongues  whar  hung  in  de  middle  an'  wags  at  bof  e  een's. 

"'Sho!  sho!'  dey  ses,  'Mistah  Creechy,  is  you  sho'- 
'nuff  mad  wid  'im  ?'  He  say,  he  do,  'Dat  I  is !  an'  you 
say  good  reason  w'y  w'en  I  tells  you  'bout  hit.  I  wuz 
hoppin'  'long  one  day,  quiet  an'  peace'ble,  not  sayin' 
nuttin'  ter  no  pusson,  w'en  I  seed  'im  come  prancin' 
down  de  road,  wavin'  his  tail  an'  actin'  mighty  airish. 
Dat  sight  kind  er  rile  me,  an'  mebbe  I  sniffed  an'  let 

96 


HOW  THE  'POSSUM'S  TAIL  BECAME  BAKE 

out  a  chirp  er  two  an'  ses  "um-umph!"  I  ain'  so 
sho'  'bout  dat.  But  howsomuver  dat  mought  be,  he 
stop  me  an'  ses,  "Mistah  Creechy  Cricket,  I  done  bin 
wantin'  a  talk  wid  you  dis  long  time.  I  gotter  tell  you, 
fer  de  good  er  de  hull  passel  er  creeturs,  dat  yo'  voice 
ain'  true,  you  is  mo'  times  offen  de  key  dan  on  hit,  an'  me 
an'  all  de  res'  be  might'ly  'bleeged  ef  you  goes  off  som'ers 
by  yo'se'f  ter  do  dat  uverlas'in'  practussin'  whar  keeps 
folks  f urn  gittin'  dey  natchel  slumbers.  I  ain'  git  a 
wink  er  sleep  dese  fo'  nights  han'  runninV  I  ses  ter 
you,  gemmen,  dat  I  wuz  plumb  riled  by  dat,  'kase  not 
long  befo'  I  spen'  de  night  practussin'  my  voice  nigh 
de  holler  tree  whar  ol'  man  'Possum  sleep,  an'  I  'clar' 
ter  you,  I  done  year  him  snore  f  um  de  dark  ontwel  de 
daylight,  an'  w'at's  mo'  he  snore  so  loud  dat  I  kain't 
year  my  own  voice  an'  ain'  knowin'  whe'rr  I  sing  01' 
Hunderd  er  S'arcUn'  Praises,  let  'lone  keepin'  on 
de  key.  I  up  an'  tol'  him  'bout  de  snorin',  but  he  ain' 
b'lieve  me  an'  jes'  laugh  in  my  face  an'  walk  off,  fer 
I  tell  y'all  hit  heap  mo'  easier  ter  mek  a  man  think 
black  is  white  dan  ter  mek  him  b'lieve  he  uver  snored 
a  snore;  he  alluz  gwine  putt  de  blame  on  some  urr 
pusson.' 

"Cricket  git  so  mad  'bout  den  dat  he  kain't  say  nuttin' 
fer  a  minnit,  an'  de  creeturs  crowd  roun'  him  an'  aig 
him  on.  'Well,  Mistah  Cricket,'  dey  ses,  Tie  sho'  did 
gin  you  imp'ence !  Dat  'nuff  ter  aggervex  you !  Now  de 
time  fer  you  ter  git  even  wid  de  sassy  trash,  an'  we-all 
gwine  back  you  up.' 

"Dey  git  him  so  wu'k  up  dat  las'  he  say  he  do  de 
job,  but  he  oon  tell  'em  how,  'ceptin'  dat  he  ain'  gwine 
have  no  wu'ds  wid  'im.  Den  he  hurry  way  fum  de 

97 


AT   THE   BIG  HOUSE 


meetin',  'kase  he  know  ef  he  stay  long  'nuff  he  'bleeged 
ter  tell  someb'dy  w'at  he  gwine  do. 

"Dat  night  he  crope  up  ter  de  holler  tree  whar  'Pos- 
sum wuz  sleepin'  an'  went  ter  wu'k  on  dat  tail  er  his'n. 
He  tucken  one  hya'r  at  a  time  an'  gnor  hit  mos'  thu,  an' 
dey  wuz  so  many  in  de  tail  dat  'twuz  a  all-night  job, 
an'  ef  he  ain'  bin  sech  a  soon  man  he  oon  git  thu  den. 
He  talk  'way  ter  hisse'f  all  de  time.  'Possum  sho'  would 
'a,  yearn  him,  *ceptin'  dat  he  snore  all  night  widout 
even  stoppin'  ter  turn  over.  Yit  w'en  ol'  man  Coon 
call  nex'  mawnin'  ter  ax  him  howdy,  he  say  he  feelin' 
mighty  po'ly  an'  ain'  sleep  nair'  a  wink  endurin'  er  de 
night.  I  done  bin  year  humans  talk  lak  dat  befo'  now, 
an'  dey's  mighty  tetchy  ef  you  tells  'em  dey  slep'  mo'n 
dey  think  fer.  Dat's  one'r  de  times  an'  'casions  w'en 
you  kin  fool  yo'se'f  mo'  easier  dan  not,  'kase  co'se  w'en 
youse  'sleep  you  dunno  nuttin'  't  all  'bout  hit. 

"Wen  de  sun  git  good  an'  up,  Mistah  'Possum  go  out, 
same'z  he  bin  doin',  fer  ter  show  hisse'f  off  befo'  de  face 
an'  eyes  er  de  creeturs.  He  wus  prancin'  'long,  mon- 
st'ous  biggitty,  wid  his  tail  hilt  high  in  de  air,  w'en  he 
git  ter  a  damp,  swampish  place  whar  kind  er  gin  him  de 
sniffles.  He  fotch  a  big  sneege  whar  shuk  him  up  all 
over,  an'  I  'clar*  ter  you  dat  w'en  he  git  thu  ev'y  single 
hya'r  done  drap  offen  his  tail  an'  lef '  hit  bare  an'  smoove 
ez  de  p'am  er  yo'  li'l  han'. 

"He  ain'  knowin'  nuttin'  't  all  *bout  dat,  dough,  an' 
g'long  airish  ez  uver  twel  he  come  ter  whar  Mistah 
Cricket  an'  a  passel  er  de  creeturs  wuz  layin'  low  fer  him 
ter  pass,  'kase  Cricket  done  tol'  'em  'bout  w'at  he  done, 
an'  dey  knowed  de  hya'rs  wan't  gwine  stick  on  dar 
long. 

98 


Dey  Seed  '  Possum  Switchin'  Down  De  Road  Page 


HOW  THE  'POSSUM'S  TAIL  BECAME  BAEE 


"When  dey  seed  'Possum  switchin'  down  de  road, 
showin'  off  dat  ol'  bare  tail  lak  'twuz  gre't  shakes,  an'  he 
not  knowin'  any  diff'ns,  dey  bus'  out  laughin'  so  hard 
dat  some  un  'em  'bleeged  ter  lean  up  'gin  de  trees,  an' 
some  un  'em  git  so  sore  dey  hatter  hoF  on  ter  der  sides 
ter  ketch  bref.  Cricket  so  pleas'  dat  he  kain't  hoi'  his 
tongue,  an'  he  chirp  up  loud  'z  he  kin, 

'/  done  done  hit,  I  done  done  hit, 
Naif*  a  hya'r  is  lef  upun  hit.' 

"  'Possum  ain'  knowin'  w'at  Cricket  mean  by  dat,  but 
tu'rr  creeturs  shet  him  up,  an'  den  dey  smoove  down  der 
grins  an'  wait  for  de  ol'  feller  ter  come  up,  jes'  kind  er 
snortin'  an'  snickerin'  a  li'l  behime  one  han'  ez  dey  say, 
'Heyo,  Mistah  Poky  'Possum,  whar  dat  tail  er  yo'n? 
W'at  dat  'ar  you  drag  behime  ?  'Clar'  ef  dat  don'  beat 
my  time !  You  sho'  is  lef  yo'  tail  at  home,  you  sho'  is ! 
Yo'  tail  nuver  look  dat-a-way;  mus'  b'long  ter  Mistah 
Eat !  Lan'  er  gracious !  'Possum  done  bin  ter  de  bar- 
ber an'  got  him  a  clean  shave  dis  time !' 

"Las'  'Possum  look  behime,  an'  gre't-day-in-de- 
mawnin' !  ef  t'wan't  nuttin'  dar  but  jes'  de  ghos'  uv  his 
oF  tail.  He  felt  so  'shame'  uv  hit  an'  uv  de  way  he  bin 
showin'  off  dat  he  drap  down  right  den  an'  dar  an'  let 
on  lak  he  wuz  daid.  An'  sence  dat  time,  w'ensomuver  he 
see  folks  comin'  he  git  ter  thinkin'  'bout  dat  bare  tail 
an'  'memb'in'  how  fine  hit  useter  be  an'  how  biggitty 
he  useter  ac'  'bout  hit,  an'  he  feel  so  mossified  over  hit 
all  dat  he  alluz  drap  down  an'  roll  over  an*  'tend  dat 
de  bref  er  life  done  gone  outen  him.  Heap  er  times  he 
fool  folks  whar  ain'  knowin'  him. 

99 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

"Dish  yer  tale  'splains  how  'tis  'Possum  come  ter 
change  his  ways,  an*  stidder  sleepin'  in  de  night-time  he 
sleep  all  day  an'  walk  all  night  so's't  his  bare  tail  kain't 
be  seed.  Folks  whar  hunt  him  gotter  go  by  night  an' 
kyar'  torches  wid  'em  so's't  dey  kin  th'ow  a  light  on  him 
and  let  him  know  dey  sees  dat  ol'  bare  tail. 

"Wen  de  creeturs  seed  him  layin'  dar  lookin'  lak  he 
sho'-'miff  daid,  dey  felt  kind  er  saw'y  fer  him,  an'  dey 
go  roun'  sayin'  ter  one  nu'rr  dat  dey  reckon  he  wan't 
sech  a  monst'ous  fool  atter  all.  But  Cricket  he  mighty 
sharp  an'  up-ter-snuff,  an'  he  kind  er  have  his  'spicions 
er  'Possum,  so  he  stay  hidin'  roun'  w'en  de  res'  go  'way, 
an'  bimeby  he  see  'im  git  up  an  teck  nu'rr  look  at  de  tail 
an'  go  slinkin'  off  in  de  bresh.  Den  Cricket  jump  up 
on  a  high  bush  an'  sing  at  de  top  er  his  voice : 

(I  done  done  hit,  I  done  done  hit, 
Nair  a  hyar  is  lef  upun  hit.' 

"An'  he  so  might'ly  please'  wid  w'at  he  done  dat  he  bin 
keepin'  up  dat  song  uver  sence,  an'  you  kin  year  him 
at  hit  all  night  long,  lessen  you  sleep  ez  soun'  an'  snore 
ez  loud  ez  w'at  ol'  man  'Possum  useter." 


100 


WHY  THE  'POSSUM  HAS  BLACK  EAES 

The  children  were  becoming  proficient  in  the  art  of 
obtaining  stories,  and  Janey  in  particular  had  early  dis- 
covered that  a  successful  method  of  getting  another  was 
to  ask  questions  about  the  last  one,  so  she  made  haste  to 
say: 

"Aunt  'Phrony,  after  the  'Possum's  tail  became  bare 
were  the  animals  friendly  with  him,  and  did  they  like 
him  any  better  ?" 

"Law  bless  you,  honey,"  she  said,  "he  wuz  a  change' 
man,  he  wuz  dat.  He  am'  have  nuttin'  lef  ter  give 
hisse'f  de  highfalutins  'bout,  an'  he  mighty  'shame'  uv 
his  foolishness,  so  he  go  roun'  grinnin'  at  ev'y  pusson 
he  meet  an'  tryin'  to  curry  favor  wid  ev'yb'dy,  an'  he 
bin  doin'  dat  uver  sence.  I  boun'  you  he'd  grin  at  you- 
all  ef  he  met  up  wid  you.  Tu'rr  creeturs  git  so  dey 
kind  er  lak  him,  an'  dey  ses  ter  one  nu'rr  dat  he  sut'n'y 
look  ter  be  a  pleasan'  sort  er  pusson.  Sidesen  dat,  he 
ain'  have  nuttin'  lef  fer  'em  ter  be  enviable  'bout,  an' 
hit  heap  mo'  easier  ter  lak  folks  whar  ain'  got  nuttin' 
you  wants  an'  ain'  seem  ter  be  no  mo'  empawtant  dan 
w'at  you  is. 

"So  dey  treat  'Possum  kind  er  decent,  an'  las'  him  an' 
Mistah  Tarry-long  Tarr'pin  git  ter  be  mighty  thick. 
Hit  wuz  'long  to'des  de  fall  er  de  'ear,  jes'  atter  fros', 
w'en  de  'simmons  is  ripe,  an'  ol'  man  'Possum  wuz 
lookin'  right  plump  an'  fat,  'kase  he  bin  gawjin'  hisse'f 

101 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

wid  'simmons.  'Possums  is  pow'ful  fond  uv  'em,  an'  dat 
de  reason,  I  reckon,  dat  some  folks  calls  'em  '  'possum- 
apples'  'stidder  'simmons.  But  whatsumuver  name  you 
calls  'em  by,  I  knows  dey  meks  mighty  good  'simmon 
beer."  Here  she  began  humming  as  if  to  herself, 

"Sezee  ter  hisse'f,  'Wid  right  good  Tcyare 
I'll  mek  two  gallons  er  'simmon  beer.' " 

Ned,  who  was  very  fond  of  music,  begged  Aunt 
'Phrony  to  give  them  the  whole  song,  which  she  finally 
did,  protesting,  however,  that  "  'twan't  nuttin'  but  one'r 
dese  yer  ol'-time  nonsense  songs,  nohow,"  and  that  it 
had  nothing  to  do  with  the  'Possum,  but  was  all  about 
a  lazy  person  whose  habits  cost  him  his  lady-love.  It 
was  called 

THE   YOUNG  MAN   WHO   WOULDN'T   MAKE   CORN 

Gwine  sing  a  li'l  song,  an  'tain'  ve'y  long, 
'All  'bout  a  young  man  dat  oon  melc  cawn; 
De  reason  w'y  I  nuver  cu'd  tell, 
'Kase  dis  young  man  wuz  alluz  well. 

He  go  ter  his  farm  an'  he  peep  in, 
Grass  an'  de  hog-weeds  up  ter  his  chin, 
Grass  an'  de  hog-weeds  growed  so  high 
Dey  melc  dis  young  man  fer  ter  sigh. 

Goes  ter  his  neares'  naber's  house, 
Goes  a-co'tin',  ez  we-all  s'pose; 
De  gal  wuz  a  peart  un,  sho'z  yo'  bawn, 
Sez  she,  'Young  man,  has  you  hoed  yo'  cawn?' 
103 


'Oh,  no,  no,  no,'  wuz  Ms  reply, 
'I  think  hit's  time  I  laid  hit  by/ 
But  befo'  he  plant,  hit  wuz  July, 
An'  in  September  he  laid  hit  by. 

In  October  dar  come  a  white  fros', 
An'  de  seed  uv  cawn  dis  young  man  los'; 
Sez  de  gal,  'I'se  single,  an'  so  will  remain, 
Per  a  lazy  man  I  won't  maintain' 

One  fruit  tree  on  his  farm  dar  grew, 
An'  ev'y  'ear  bore  some  good  fruit,  too; 
Sezee  ter  hisse'f,  'Wid  right  good  Jcyare 
I'll  meJc  two  gallons  er  'simmon  beer/ 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

"But  nemmine  de  beer,  lemme  git  back  ter  de  tale. 
Wen  Tarr'pin  see  how  fat  'Possum  look,  he  say,  'See 
yer,  Brer  Poky  'Possum,  seem  ter  me  you  lookin'  right 
plump  an'  peart  dese  days,  an'  yer  me,  so  po'  dat  you 
kin  see  ev'y  bone  in  my  body;  jes'  feel  me  if  y'ain' 
b'lieve  me.  I  is  a  plumb  skillitin.  I  wish  you  tell  me, 
suh,  w'at  you  bin  doin'  ter  fat  up  dat-a-way.' 

"Den  'Possum  grin'  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Dat  my  sekert, 
but  you  is  my  fren'  an'  I  don'  min'  tellin'  you.  Well, 
suh,  I  gits  dis-a-way  in  de  fall  'long  er  de  'simmons. 
'Simmons  is  ripe  den,  an'  dar  ain'  nuttin'  ekal  to  'em 
fer  puttin'  de  kiverin'  on  a  man's  bones.  I  sut'n'y  is 
saw'y  ter  see  you  look  so  swivel  up  an'  pindlin',  an'  ef 
you  kin  keep  a  still  tongue  in  yo'  haid,  I  tek  you  out 
one'r  dese  nights  an'  git  you  a  mess  er  'simmons.  'Twon't 
do  ter  let  tu'rr  creeturs  know,  'kase  dey  oon  be  'nuff  ter 
go  roun';  mebbe  you  has  notuss  dat  dar  ain'  no  mo' 
sca'cer  tree  dan  de  'simmon  tree.' 

"Tarr'pin  say:  'I  sut'n'y  is  s'prise.  I  bin  thinkin' 
'simmons  wan't  wuff  shucks  fer  eatin',  'kase  onct  I 
tucken  one  in  my  mouf,  an'  suz !  she  drord  so  dat  my 
mouf  swank  up  'twel  I  wuz  'feard  I  wan't  nuver  gwine 
be  able  ter  tek  in  a  good  moufful  er  vittles  ag'in.' 

"'Possum  laugh  fit  ter  kill  at  de  idee  er  Mistah 
Tarr'pin  eatin'  green  'simmons.  Sezee : '  'Tain'  ev'y  pus- 
son  got  de  sense  ter  tek  things  at  de  right  time;  seem 
lak  mos'  un  'em  mus'  grab  right  in,  an'  dar  whar  dey 
come  out  missin'.  I  reckon  dat  how  'simmons  come  ter 
have  sech  a  bad  name  wid  mos'  folks.  But  de  fros'  done 
bin  yer  now,  Brer  Tarry-long,  an'  'simmons  is  prime, 
an'  ef  you  won't  tell,  I  tek  you  'long  wid  me  di£  ve'y 
night.' 

104 


WHY  THE  'POSSUM  HAS  BLACK  EAES 

"01'  Tarr'pin  he  say,  'I  cross  my  heart,  suh,  dat  I 
won't  tell,  'deed  an'  'deed,  an'  double  'deed.'  So  dat 
night  'Possum  tucken  him  thu  de  woods  ter  a  tall  tree 
whar  wuz  jes'  ez  full  er  'simmons  ez  she  kin  stick. 
'Now,  den,  Mistah  Tarr'pin,'  sezee,  'you  gwine  stay  down 
yer  on  de  groun'  an'  I  gwine  climb  de  tree  an'  shake 
fer  you.'  He  went  a-kitin'  up  de  tree,  swingin'  f 'um  one 
limb  ter  tu'rr  by  dat  long  tail  er  his'n,  whar  he  cu'd 
wrop  roun'  things  heap  easier  sence  de  hya's  all  fell 
off,  'twel  he  fair'  mek  ol'  Tarr'pin's  haid  swim.  He 
shake  an'  he  shake  an'  he  shake,  an'  de  'simmons  fall  an' 
dey  fall  an'  dey  fall,  an'  all  de  time  he  shuk  he  wuz 
singin' : 

'  'Possum's  up  de  'simmon  tree, 

Go  'long,  Josey; 
Oh,  please,  Mistah  'Possum,  ter  shake  fer  me, 

Go  'long,  Josey,  go  'long. 

De  tree  mighty  tall,  an'  de  limb  mighty  bare, 

Go  'long,  Josey; 
Tele  Icyare,  Mistah  'Possum,  tek  Icyare,  tele  Icyare, 

Go  'long,  Josey,  go  'long. 

I  boun'  you,  ol'  'Possum  gwine  tele  good  Icyare, 

Go  'long,  Josey; 
Dough  de  tree  mighty  tall,  an'  de  limb  mighty  bare, 

Go  'long,  Josey,  go  'long. 

He  wrop  his  tail  all  roun'  de  limb, 

Go  'long,  Josey; 
You  Tcin  shake  de  'simmons,  but  you  Tcain't  shake  him, 

Go  'long,  Josey,  go  'long.' 
103 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

"'Possum  wu'k  on  so  busy  dat  he  done  fergit  ev'y- 
ihing  else,  an'  pres'n'y  he  git  ter  shakin'  harder  an* 
harder  an'  singin'  louder  an'  louder.  'Bout  den  Mistah 
Wolf  come  lopin'  'long  thu  de  woods  an'  yeard  him. 
'Now,  w'at  kind  er  outlan'ish  gwines  on  is  dis,  in  de 
daid  er  night  ?'  sezee  ter  hisse'f ;  'I'se  'bleeged  ter  turn 
outen  my  way  an'  see  'bout  dis.' 

"Wen  he  git  ter  de  tree  he  see  po'  ol'  Tarr'pin  stuffin' 
hisse'f,  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Mistah  Tarr'pin,  w'at  sort  er 
lay-out  is  you  got  dar  ?'  Tarr'pin  say,  he  do,  'Oh,  dish 
yer  jes'  a  li'l  medincin  I'se  tekin'  'kase  I'se  kind  er  run 
down  an'  po'ly.' 

"Wolf  he  'low  hit  .look  ter  him  ez  ef  some  er  dat 
medincin  'ud  'gree  wid  Mm  might'ly.  Sezee,  'I  think 
hit  nigh  'bout  jes'  suit  my  case,'  an'  wid  dat  he  wade 
plumb  inter  de  'simmons  an'  et  'em  up  so  fas'  dar  wan't 
none  lef  fer  Mistah  Tarr'pin,  'kase  he  nuver  hurry 
'bout  anything,  not  even  de  puttin'  'way  uv  his  vittles. 

"  'Possum  up  in  de  tree  seed  w'at  gwine  on  below,  an' 
sezee  ter  hisse'f,  'Now  dis  de  time  an'  'casion  w'en  I 
gwine  fix  Mistah  Wolf  so's't  he  kain't  gobble  up  urr 
folkses  'simmons  fer  one  w'ile,  mis'able  ol'  big  mouf !' 

"He  tuck  an'  tuck  a  rock  he  kyar'd  wid  him,  an'  he 
wrop  his  tail  good  an'  tight  'roun'  a  limb,  an'  he  lean 
outen  de  tree  so'ster  tek  good  aim,  an'  he  drap  hit  so 
close  ter  ol'  Wolf  dat  li'l  mo'  she'd  'a  hit  him  on  de  nose. 
Wolf  year  her  fall  ker-chug !  an'  she  thump  so  haivy  he 
think  hit  mus'  be  mighty  big  'simmon,  an'  he  'low  ter 
hisse'f  dat  he  gotter  have  dat  un  ter  fill  up  de  las' 
chink  uv  his  stummick.  He  'z  dat  greedy  he  ain*  stop 
ter  bite  ner  tas'e  ner  chew;  he  jes'  swoller  her  hull, 
an'  stidder  gwine  down,  dar  she  stuck ;  he  kain't  gulp  her 

106 


WHY  THE  'POSSUM  HAS  BLACK  EAES 


down  ner  cough  her  up;  dar  she  wuz  an'  dar  she  stay. 
He  roll,  lie  waller,  he  kick,  lie  cough,  he  try  ter  call  fer 
he'p,  but  'tain'  no  use,  an3  I  let  you  know  'twan't  long 
'fo'  he  stop  kickin'  an'  strotch  hisse'f  out  an'  jes' 
natchelly  die  fer  de  want  er  bref . 

"Den  'Possum  he  skunt  down  de  tree  in  a  hurry  an' 
'zamine'  de  kyarkiss  ter  see  ef  he'z  sho'-'nuff  daid. 
'Um-umph !'  sezee,  'look  lak  dat  medincin  ain'  'gree  wid 
Mistah  Wolf  well  'z  he  think  fer.  Dat  'z  a  monst'ous 
big  pill  he  try  ter  swoller,  but  w'en  folks  come  'long  yer 
an'  fin'  him  dey  kain't  blame  us,  fer  deyll  see  de  'sim- 
mons  stickin'  ter  his  mouf,  an'  den  dey'll  know  he  wuz 
dat  big  a  fool  he  ain'  kin  tell  de  diff'ns  'twix'  'simmons 
an'  flint  rocks.  Le's  we  hurry  up  an'  git  outen  dis,  but 
'f  o'  I  goes  I  gwine  cut  off  his  years  an'  tek  'em  home  ter 
my  fambly,  'kase  dey  ain'  gwine  b'lieve  hit  lessen  dey 
sees  hit.' 

"De  fambly  wuz  might'ly  sot  up  over  de  killin'  er 
Mistah  Wolf,  an'  'Possum  tuck  ter  wearin'  de  years 
stuck  on  over  his  own.  Dat  huccome  de  wolfs  ter 
'spicion  who  kilt  der  daddy,  an'  dar  come  mighty  nigh 
bein'  trouble. 

"I  done  fergit  ter  tol'  you  dat  Wolf  had  black 
years,  an'  dat  w'y  de  Injun  folks,  uver  sence  'Possum 
bin  wearin'  dem  borryed  years,  calls  him  'de  animuel 
wid  de  black  years.'  My  daddy  he  wuz  a  Injun,  an'  he 
done  tol'  me  de  tale  an'  de  name  er  de  'possum  in  Churry- 
Tcee,  but  hit  soun'  so  curisome  I  done  fergit  hit.  An' 
now  you-all  bes'  run  'long  home,  mos'  time  fer  yo'  din- 
ner, an'  lemme  look  atter  de  bugs  on  dish  yer  'baccy- 
patch  er  mine." 


107 


MIS'  CAT  AND  ME.  FKISKY  MOUSE 


One  night  the  children  again  heard  the  sound  of  a 
banjo  proceeding  from  Aunt  Liza's  domain,  the  cook- 
house. Aunt  Liza  was  entertaining  some  of  her  friends, 
and  just  as  the  children  entered  she  said : 

"Dat  sut'n'y  wuz  a  fine  tale,  Sis'  'Phrony,  an'  now 
we  gwine  lissen  ter  Sis'  Nancy,  'kase  long  ez  I  bin 
knowin'  her  she  alluz  got  sump'n  wuf  yearin'.  Ain' 
dat  de  truf e  now  ?"  appealing  to  the  circle  and  meeting 
with  polite  confirmation  from  everybody  except  Aunt 
'Phrony,  for  it  may  be  accepted  as  an  axiom  that  there 
is  not  room  enough  for  two  professional  story-tellers  at 
the  same  fireside,  especially  if  they  chance  to  be  ancient 
foes. 

"  'Scuse  me,  please,  Sis'  'Liza,  I'se  f eelin'  kind  er  tiz- 
zicky  dis  evenin',"  said  Nancy,  a  little  offended  at  not 
having  had  a  hearing  before. 

'Phrony  sniffed  contemptuously.  "Umph !  tizzicky !" 
said  she  in  an  audible  aside,  "dat  a  new  name  fer  hit. 
Whyn't  she  say  she  gittin'  oP  an'  losin'  her  'memb'ance  ?'' 

Aunt  Nancy  snorted  and  tossed  her  head  defiantly. 
"OP!  who  oP?  Well,  ef  dat  don'  beat  bob-tail!  Wen 
you-all  knows  dat  ooman  wuz  a  li'l  oP  no-kyount  pic- 
caninny, runnin'  roun'  yer  wid  her  hy'ar  stickin'  out  in 
pigtails  all  over  her  haid,  long  befo'  I  wuz  bawnded. 
Sho!  I  reckon  I  'members  mo'  tales  dan  w'at  she  is 

108 


MIS'  CAT  AND  ME.  FKISKY  MOUSE 


uver  year  de  names  uv,  so  many  dat  I  dunno  whar  ter 
begin,  but  I  b'lieve  I  gwine  gin  you  one  dat  tell  'bout 
a  fool  ooman  whar  place  her  pennunee  on  de  wu'd  uv 
a  man  an'  fin'  husse'f  lef  out  in  de  coi',"  here  she 
looked  significantly  at  Aunt  'Phrony,  "an'  de  name  er 
de  tale  is  'Mis'  Cat  an'  Mistah  Frisky-mouse.' 

"Onct  dey  wuz  a  li'l  mouse  bin  livin'  down  a  dark 
hole  fer  a  right  smart  uv  a  spell,  an'  gnorrin'  an'  gnor- 
rin'  ter  git  thu  inter  de  room  whar  folks  wuz  livin'.  Las' 
he  git  clean  thu  an'  he  skip  out  middle  ways  de  flo'  an' 
darnse  an'  caper  an'  kyar'  on,  an'  set  up  on  his  ha'nches 
an'  ju'k  his  haid,  fus'  dis-a-way  an'  den  dat-a-way,  an' 
drap  down  on  all  f o's.  an'  run  inter  de  cornders,  an' 
peek  an'  peer  ev'ywhars  wid  dem  li'l  bright  eyes  er  his'n. 
Dar  wan't  no  pusson  't  all  in  de  room,  'scusin'  a  big  ol' 
cat  whar  wuz  snoogin'  an'  snorin'  by  de  fire,  an'  he  step 
so  light  he  wan't  'feard  er  wakin'  her.  'Holy  Moses !' 
sezee  ter  hisse'f,  'dish  yer  my  chanct,  sho'  ez  I'm  a  livin' 
sinner !  Look  out,  ol'  lady,  any  ooman  dat  go  ter  sleep 
over  her  dinner  kain't  kyount  on  hit  bein'  dar  w'en  she 
wake  up;  naw,  ma'am,  dinners  too  sca'ce  fer  dat;  dey 
ain'  layin'  'roun'  loose  ev'y  day  in  de  week.  I  mus'  let 
out  dish  yer  belt  er  mine  er  I  ain'  gwine  be  able  ter 
crowd  hit  all  in.' 

"Wid  dat  he  tiptoe  up  ter  de  plate  whar  settin'  by 
de  fire  an'  nibble  away  fer  dear  life  on  Mis'  Cat's  dinner. 
Den  he  go  darnsin'  roun'  some  mo',  an'  he  feel  so  gaily 
an'  so  sot  up  'kase  he  done  finish  de  job  er  gnorrin',  dat 
he  say  he  b'lieve  he  gwine  on  a  frolic,  an'  he  jes' 
natchully  'bleeged  ter  have  some  whisky.  He  go  sniffin' 
an'  snuffin'  roun',  an'  las'  he  spy  a  jimmyjohn  er  whis- 
ky settin'  up  on  a  high  she'f.  But,  bless  you,  he  wan't 

109 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


gwine  let  dat  hinner  him,  fer  I  ses  to  you,  gemmen  an' 
ladiz,  dat  ef  a  man's  sot  on  gittin'  a  dram,  he  gwine 
climb  a  mountain  er  dig  down  ter  de  baid-rock  but 
w'at  he  gwine  git  de  wufless  truck,  an'  nuver  stop  ter 
think  'bout  hit  bein'  any  trouble,  neener. 

"So  he  skunt  up  ter  de  she'f  an'  clim'  ter  de  mouf 
er  de  jug  an'  perched  on  de  rim  an'  'gun  ter  sip  de  whis- 
ky. He  dip  down  an'  git  a  moufful  an'  den  th'ow  back 
his  haid  an'  smack  his  lips  an'  lick  de  draps  often  his 
whiskers.  'Lan'!  Ian'!'  sezee,  'dish  yer  de  stuff  I  bin 
jes'  natchully  honin'  fer  dis  long  time.  Seem  lak  hit 
go  prezackly  ter  de  right  spot  an'  limber  me  up  might'ly 
in  my  feelin's.'  Den  de  dram  'gun  ter  mount  up  in 
his  haid  an'  he  done  fergot  whar  he  wuz  an'  'menced 
ter  sing  a  snatch  f  um  a  ol'-time  drammin'  song,  whar 
runs  dis-a-way : 

'Mammy  tuck  a  big  dram, 

Daddy  tuck  a  whopper, 
When  hit  come  ter  my  turn 

I  hatter  lick  de  stopper' 

"Jes'  den  his  footses  slip  an'  down  he  go,  ker-chug! 
inter  de  whisky.  He  spit  an'  he  sputter  an'  scrabble 
roun'  tryin'  ter  git  out,  but  'twan't  no  use.  Gentermans! 
dat  'uz  one  time  w'en  he  git  his  fill  er  whisky.  'My 
Ian' !'  sezee  ter  hisse'f,  'dish  yer's  jes'  de  way  you  fin' 
mos'  things  in  dis  life:  heap  mo'  easy  ter  git  in  dan 
'tis  ter  git  out.  'Pears  lak  dese  white  folks  got  mighty 
li'l  sense,  puttin'  der  drams  inter  ol',  slickry-sided  bot- 
tles. How  kin  dey  'spec*  mouses  ter  git  in  an'  out  er 
sech  contrapshuns,  I  lak  ter  know.'  He  see  he  wuz 

110 


MIS'  CAT  AND  ME.  FEISKY  MOUSE 

fillin'  up  so  fas'  dat  sump'n  gotter  be  done,  so  he  squeak 
out  at  de  top  uv  his  voice :  'Mis'  Cat !  Oh,  Mis'  Cat ! 
Hi,  Mis'  Cat!  Please,  ma'am,  ter  he'p  me  outen  dis 
whisky !' 

"Cat  she  open  her  eyes  an*  blink  a  li'l,  kind  er  slow 
an'  sleepy,  an'  las'  she  say:  'Is  my  years  done  'ceive 
me,  er  is  I  year  a  mouse  ?  Mebbe  I  done  dream  hit.' 

"'Naw'm,  dat  you  didn'!'  sings  out  Mistah  Frisky- 
mouse.  "Twuz  a  sho'-'nuff  mouse,  an'  I'se  him,  up 
yer  in  de  whisky,  an'  I  wants  you,  please  ma'am,  ter 
climb  up  an'  he'p  me  out.' 

"  'Well,  uv  all  de  imp'ence !'  sez  Mis'  Cat  ter  husse'f, 
sez  she,  'an'  dat's  de  same  li'l  rascal  whar  done  runned 
'way  f'um  me  mo'  times  dan  I  kin  kyount.  Him  ter 
call  on  me  f er  he'p !'  Den  she  say  out  loud :  'Mistah 
Frisky-mouse,  I  sut'n'y  'd  lak  ter  'bleege  you  'bout  dis, 
but  I  gotter  tell  you,  I  think  hit  sarve  you  right  ter 
drown  in  dat  whisky,  'kase  you  wuz  stealin'  de  white 
folkses  dram  w'en  you  drapt  in.  Yas,  I  think  hit  be 
'bout  right  fer  you  ter  be  lef  ter  die  in  de  midse  er 
yo'  sin,  ef  I  mought  'spress  myse'f  dat-a-way.' 

"Mis'  Cat  wag  her  haid  an'  look  sollum;  she  done 
fergit  how  many  times  she  bin  roguin'  it  in  de  white 
folkses  cream-jug.  She  wan't  de  one  whar  git  ketched 
dis  time,  so  she  ac'  mighty  pious  over  Mistah  Mouse's 
thievin'. 

"He  baig  an'  he  baig  an'  he  baig,  an'  las'  she  say, 
'Well,  I  he'p  you  out  dis  time,  ef  you  promuss  me  you 
set  by  de  fire  an'  dry  yo'se'f  good,  befo'  you  go.'  Eight 
dar  she  wunk  one  eye  at  de  fire  an'  smack'  her  lips 
an'  sez  she  ter  husse'f,  sez  she,  'I  gwine  git  me  a  mouse 
dis  trip,  sho'  ez  shootin'.' 

111 


AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 


"In  co'se  Mouse  he  gin  de  promuss,  'kase  'twuz  mighty 
nigh  time's-up  wid  him,  yit  he  wan't  so  fur  gone  but 
w'at  he  wunk  de  one  eye  whar  wuz  still  'bove  liquor  an' 
ses  ter  hisse'f,  'Yas'm,  yas,  ma'am,  jesso,  ma'am,  but 
I  have  you  fer  ter  know  dat  I  wan't  bawnded  yistiddy 
ner  de  day  befo',  ner  de  day  befo'  dat,  an'  I  ain'  'spec' 
ter  die  ter-day  ner  to-morrer  ner  de  day  atter.' 

"Soon  'z  he  gin  de  promuss,  Mis'  Cat  she  lipt  up  on 
de  she'f  an'  retched  a  paw  down  in  de  jimmy  John  an' 
fished  'im  out,  an'  suz !  he  sut'n'y  wuz  a  mis'able  lookin' 
creetur,  wid  ev'y  hya'r  on  him  plastered  down  close  ter 
his  li'l  ol'  lean  body,  an'  de  whisky  drappin'  f  um 
nose  an'  eyes  an'  mouf.  She  cu'd  'a  et  him  den  an' 
dar,  but  she  wanter  have  a  li'l  fun  wid  him  fus',  same 
ez  cats  alluz  does  wid  de  mouses  befo'  dey  eats  'em. 
Seem  lak  dey  inj'ys  'em  heap  mo'  ef  dey  kin  skeer  'em 
good  fus',  an'  den  let  'em  git  mos'  away,  an'  den  kotch 
'em  ag'in,  an'  maul  an'  pull  an'  wool  'em  roun'  'twel  de 
mouses  is  glad  ter  be  et  up  an'  putt  outen  der  mis'ry. 
So  she  tucken  him  an'  putt  him  down  by  de  fire,  an' 
den  she  turn  her  back  an'  walk  over  ter  tu'rr  side  whar 
she  kin  set  an'  watch  him  ter  see  dat  he  ain'  git  'way. 
Suz !  her  back  no  sooner  turnt  dan  Mistah  Frisky-mouse 
jes'  tucken  his  foot  in  his  han'  an'  went  clippin'  over 
ter  de  hole  quicker  'n  a  streak  er  greast  lightnin',  an' 
Mis'  Cat  she  look  roun'  jes'  in  time  ter  see  de  een'  uv 
his  tail  gwine  down  de  hole. 

"  'Hi,  dar !'  sez  she,  'ain'  you  gin  me  yo'  wu'd  ter  set 
by  de  fire  ontwel  you  dry  de  whisky  offen  yo'  hide  ?  Is 
dis  de  way  you  keeps  yo'  wu'd?  Does  you  call  dat 
hon'able,  atter  I  done  he'p  you  out?' 

"Mouse  he  whu'l  'roun'  in  de  hole  jes'  so  he  kin  poke 
112 


MIS'  CAT  AND  ME.  FRISKY  MOUSE 

his  nose  an'  eyes  out  a  li'l  ways  an'  see  her  settin'  dar 
wid  one  han'  lif  up,  shakin'  hit  at  him  an'  lookin'  lak 
she  plumb  scannelize.  He  say,  he  do,  'Keep  my  wu'd ! 
Who  ?  Me  ?  Huh-uh,  Mis'  Cat,  heap  ru'rr  lose  my  wu'd 
dan  ter  lose  my  life.  Sidesen  dat,  you  knowed  I  bin 
drinkin';  'deed  you  done  foun'  me  clean  unner  de  in- 
floons  er  whisky,  an'  you  done  yearn  fo'  now,  'kase 
you  is  no  kitten,  dat  whisky  meks  mens  mighty  onre- 


liable,  dat  hit  do.'  He  git  ter  snickerin'  an'  laughin' 
so't  he  kain't  say  nuttin'  mo',  so  he  go  seootin'  down 
de  hole  an'  leave  Mis'  Cat  settin'  dar  wid  one  paw  in 
de  air  an'  her  jaw  drapt  wide  open. 

"  T)e  mis'able,  ongrateful,  owdacious  li'l  sinner,'  sez 
she.  Jes'  den  Mistah  Frisky-mouse  he  scoot  back  fer 
a  minnit  an'  see  her  settin'  dar  lookin'  foolish,  an'  he 
laugh  an'  he  yell  an'  he  holler,  an'  jes'  w'en  she  mek  a 
dab  at  'im  wid  'er  paw,  he  turnt  tail  an'  went  c'reerin' 
down  de  hole,  singin'  back  at  de  top  er  his  voice : 

113 


'AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

'Ho,  ho!  Mis'  Cat,  I  thought  you'z  slicker 
Dan  ter  'pend  on  de  wu'd  uv  a  man  in  liquor' " 

"Dear  me,"  said  Janey,  "what  a  naughty  little  mouse. 
Was  he  really,  really  tipsy  ?" 

"Sho !"  said  Aunt  Nancy,  "he  wan't  so  tipsy  but  w'at 
he  knowed  dat  Mis'  Cat  wuz  atter  him  an'  sot  on 
ketchin'  'im,  an'  he  knowed  'nuff  ter  git  'way  f  um  her, 
so  I  reckon  he  wan't  so  tipsy  atter  all.  Cat's  de  way 
wid  some  wimmins,"  and  here  she  rolled  her  eyes  mean- 
ingly at  Aunt  'Phrony,  "dey  ain'  got  de  sense  ter  hide 
hit  w'en  dey's  tryin'  ter  ketch  a  man,  an'  de  man  he 
gits  skeered  an'  quits,  an'  den  de  ooman  goes  an'  putts 
de  blame  on  some  urr  gal.  I  tell  you,  honeys,  you  kin 
run  atter  a  man  all  you  please,  but  you  mus'n'  let  him 
'spishun  hit  er  de  game's  up." 


114 


BEOTHEK  SQUIRREL  AND  MOLLY  HARE 


"Now,  den,"  said  Aunt  Nancy,  when  she  had  finished 
the  story  of  Mis'  Cat,  "I  reckon  y'all  done  had  'nuff 
fer  dis  night,  isn'  you?" 

"No,  we  haven't,"  said  Ned,  with  an  injured  air. 
"You  said  you'd  tell  two  to-night  if  we  were  good ;  and 
so  I  didn't  do  lots  of  things  I  wanted  to,  and  I  was 
careful  about  getting  over  the  fences  and  only  snagged 
my  trousers  once,  just  a  teenty  little  hole." 

"And  I  only  took  one  piece  of  pie  for  dinner;  I  said 
'No,  thank  you/  when  they  offered  me  another,  but  I 
wanted  it  all  the  time,"  said  Janey,  "and  there  were 
lots  of  things  I  could  have  done  if  I  hadn't  been  trying 
to  behave,  and  I'll  go  and  do  'em  to-morrow  if  you  don't 
do  what  you  said  you  would." 

The  old  woman  looked  at  Janey  over  her  huge,  brass- 
rimmed  spectacles  with  as  severe  an  expression  as  her 
good-natured  face  could  assume. 

"Well,  I  ain'  de  one  gwine  be  hurt  by  yo'  nortiness," 
she  said,  "but  ef  I  done  promuss  you  two  tales,  den  I 
gwine  gin  you  two,  'kase  I  ain'  gwine  back  on  my  wu'd, 
even  w'en  chillen  ac's  kind  er  uppish  wid  me  an'  gits 
ter  talkin*  onmannerly.  Dis  tale  is  'bout  Brer  Squ'l 
an'  Mis'  Molly  Hyar',  an'  hit  wuz  telled  ter  me  by  de 
same  man  whar  tell  me  'bout  Mis'  Cat  and  Mistah 
Frisky-mouse. 

115 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


"He  say  dat  in  de  oF,  ol'  times,  Mis'  Molly  Hyar' 
useter  wunner  w'y  'twuz  w'en  her  an'  Brer  Squ'l  look  so 
much  lak  one  nu'rr,  dat  he  live  up  in  a  tree  an'  she  live 
down  on  de  groun'.  'I'se  ev'y  bit  ez  good  ez  he  is/  she  say 
ter  husse'f .  'I  'spose  he  feel  mighty  biggitty  'kase  he  live 
up  dar  in  de  tree,  an'  I  reckon  he  kind  er  look  down  on 
groun'-walkers  lak  me.  But  I  boun'  you  I  gwine  teck 
him  down  a  peg  er  two  nex'  time  I  see  'im.  Mis' able 
li'l  skeezicks !  So  proud  er  dat  bushy  tail  dat  he  all 
time  r'arin'  hit  up  clean  over  his  haid  so's't  folks  kin 
see  hit.'  She  talk  dat-a-way  'kase  she  right  tetchy  'bout 
her  own  tail  whar  got  nipt  off  shawt  one'r  dem  times 
w'en  she  wuz  up  ter  some  uv  her  'havishness. 

"Las',  one  day,  she  met  up  wid  'im  at  de  foot  uv  a 
tree.  He  wuz  settin'  up  gnorrin'  a  nut  an'  turnin'  hit 
roun'  an'  roun'  in  his  li'l  paws.  She  stop'  an'  squat 
down  on  her  ha'nches  an'  pass  de  time  er  day  wid  'im. 
'Howdy,  Brer  Squ'l,'  she  say,  an'  he  stop'  gnorrin'  an' 
hilt  de  nut  in  one  li'l  paw  an'  'spon',  'Howdy,  ma'am, 
howdy,'  'kase  he  wuz  a  mighty  mannerly  li'l  feller  an' 
oon  go  on  eatin'  w'iles  dar  wuz  a  lady  roun'. 

"Den,  he  say :  'Mis'  Molly,  won't  you  please,  ma'am, 
come  up  ter  my  house  in  de  tree  an'  mek  yo'se'f  comf  ble 
an'  at  home?  I  be  proud  ter  see  you  in  my  house, 
ma'am/ 

"  'Naw,  thanky,  suh,'  sez  she ;  'I  come  a  right  fur 
ways  to-day,  an'  I  ain'  feel  ekal  ter  de  climbin' ;  am'  ez 
young  ez  I  onct  wuz,  Brer  Squ'l.'  She  talk  dat-a-way 
'kase  she  ain'  wanter  let  on  dat  she  wan't  use  ter  climbin' 
trees. 

"Pres'n'y  she  say,  sort  er  sniffin'  an'  turnin'  up  her 
nose  all  de  time  she  talkin':  'Brer  Squ'l,  you  an'  me 

116 


BROTHER  SQUIRREL  AND  MOLLY  HARE 


sut'n'y  look  sump'n  lak  one  nu'rr,  but  seem  ter  me  "hit's 
on'y  skin  deep ;  we  ain'  ac'  nuttin'  't  all  de  same.  You 
eats  nuts  an'  I  eats  gyardin-truck ;  you  lives  in  a  hole 
in  de  tree,  an'  I  lives  in  a  hole  in  de  groun';  an'  I 
reckon  I  kin  do  a  heap  er  things  you  kain't  do.  'Pears 
ter  me  'bout  de  on'ies'  thing  you  kin  do  is  ter  run  up 
a  tree.' 

"Brer  Squ'l  he  drap  de  nut  an'  hang  bofe  paws,  kind 
er  meek  an'  numble,  an'  he  say,  sezee :  'Fur  be  hit  f ' urn 
me  ter  say  dat  I  is  de  ekal  uv  a  nice  lady  lak  Mis' 
Molly  Hyar'.  But  please,  ma'am,  ter  show  me  some  er 
de  things  you  kin  do,  'kase  I  done  year  tell  dat  you  is 
a  monst'ous  spry  ooman/ 

"Molly  she  snigger  at  dat  an'  say :  'GTlong  'way  f 'um 
yer,  Brer  Squ'l,  w'at  you  wanter  bamboozle  a  po'  ooman 
fer,  wid  yo'  flattersome  wu'ds?  You  men-folks  orter 
be  'shame'  er  yo'se'f ;  'deed  you  ort/ 

"Squ'l  he  say,  sezee :  'Wellum,  you  kin  b'lieve  hit  er 
not,  but  I  alluz  means  w'at  I  sez;  an'  de  nabers'll  all 
tell  you  de  same.  I  wuz  bawnded  yer,  las'  'ear,  an' 
brung  up  right  in  dis  tree,  an'  dey  all  knows  me  right 
well.' 

"  'Well,  ef  you  talkin'  de  truf  e/  sez  she,  sniggerin' 
ag'in  lak  she  still  feel  kind  er  backwu'ds  'bout  hit,  dough 
all  de  time  she  wuz  jes'  a-honin'  ter  show  husse'f  off; 
Veil,  ef  dat  de  trufe,  den  I  gwine  whu'l  in  an'  show 
you  some  tricks  whar  is  tricks  sho'-'nuff ;  hit  teks  me 
ter  do  'em.'  Wid  dat  she  turnt  husse'f  aloose,  an'  uv 
all  de  gwines-on  you  uver  see,  dem  tuck  de  lead.  She 
go  kitin'  long  a  piece,  an'  den  all  uv  a  suddint  she 
r'ar  up  on  her  ha'nches  an'  do  lak  she  lissen;  den  she 
gin  a  monst'ous  jump  an'  go  on,  an'  den  she  hide,  an' 

117 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


den  come  out  ag'in ;  an'  den  she  double  lak  de  dogs  atter 
'er  an'  she  wanter  git  'way  f'um  'em,  an'  she  dat  spry 
an'  soople  seem  lak  she  do  all  dem  tricks  widout  half 
tryin'. 

"Brer  Squ'l  he  monst'ous  p'lite,  an'  he  watch  her 
clost  an'  pay  good  'tention  an'  wuz  mighty  please'  wid 
e^ything.  He  clap  his  li'l  paws  an'  say:  'Good  fer 
you,  Mis'  Molly  Hyar' !  You  sut'n'y  is  a  sho'-'nuff 
jumper!  I  boun'  dar  ain'  nair'  dog  in  dese  parts  kin 
run  you  down,  Mis'  Molly.' 

"She  say:  'Oh  shucks!  dis  ain'  nuttin'  'tall.  Wait 
'twel  I  show  you  w'at's  w'at.'-  An'  wid  dat  she  'mence 
all  over  ag'in  an'  putt  in  all  de  extry  licks  she  cu'd  think 
uv,  scootin'  in  an'  out  'mongs'  de  trees  an'  de  bushes  so 
fas'  dat  you  cu'dden  see  no  laigs  ner  feet,  jes'  look  lak 
a  wad  er  fur  dat  wuz  bein'  chunked  roun'  fer  fun. 

"Las',  Squ'l  he  'feard  she  gwine  tire  husse'f  all  out, 
'kase  he  wuz  a  kin'-hearted  li'l  feller,  an'  he  say,  sezee, 
'Thanky,  Mis'  Molly,  thanky,  ma'am.  I  much  'bleeged 
ter  you  fer  showin'  me  yo'  tricks,  an'  I  owns  up  dat  I 
kain't  do  one  un  'em.  But  mebbe,  ma'am,  you  lak  ter 
see  me  run  up  a  tree;  fer  you  done  tol'  de  trufe  w'en 
you  ses  dat's  'bout  all  I  kin  do/ 

"But,  bless  yo'  soul,  he  kin  do  heap  mo'n  dat,  on'y 
he  wuz  one'r  dese  yer  modes'  mens  whar  thinks  mo'  uv 
urr  folks'  doin's  dan  dey  does  uv  der  own,  but  I  let  you 
know  dat  lots  er  times  dey  kin  do  mo'  dan  de  peoples 
whar  meks  sech  'miration  over  derse'f  s. 

"He  kite  up  de  tall  tree  same'z  ef  he  wuz  runnin'  on 
de  groun',  an'  w'en  he  git  dar  he  do  all  sawts  er  things. 
He  pick  nuts  an'  swing  back  an'  fo'th  on  de  een'  uv  a 
limb,  an'  jump  f'um  one  tree  to  anu'rr  widout  losin' 
^  118 


Brer  Squ'l  Clap  His  Li'l  Paws 


Page  118 


BKOTHER  SQUIEKEL  AND  MOLLY  HAEE 


his  bahms  er  fallin'  onct.  Den  he  spread  out  his  fo' 
laigs  wide  ez  he  kin  an'  jump  f'um  de  highes'  limb 
clean  to  the  groun'  widout  hurtin'  him  't  all,  an'  wuz  up 
de  tree  ag'in  befo'  Mis'  Molly  cu'd  wink  her  eyeleds. 
Nex',  he  run  down  de  tree  haid  fo'most,  jes'  ez  easy  ez 
he  run  up.  Den  back  ag'in  ter  swing  some  mo'  an' 
hang  on  by  one  paw  an'  turn  a  somerset  on  de  limb,  an' 
a  hull  passel  uv  urr  tricks. 

"Mis'  Hyar'  she  wan't  so  pleasan'  an'  p'lite  ez  Brer 
Squ'l  bin.  She  ain'  say  nuttin'  nice  'bout  his  tricks,  jes' 
set  down  dar  below,  squatulatin'  wid  'im  an'  rollin'  her 
eyes  up  an'  wringin'  her  paws  an'  sayin'  over  an'  over 
ag'in:  'Brer  Squ'l  don'  min',  he  kill  hisse'f!  Brer 
Squ'l  don'  min',  he  kill  hisse'f!  Gwine  fall  ker-smack 
down  an'  snag  hisse'f  on  dis  stump !  Please,  suh,  ter 
stop !  hit  gin  me  de  flirtation  er  de  heart  ter  see  you  do 
dat-a-way !  I  gwine  go  right  'long  home  dis  minnit  ef 
you  don'  quit  dem  gwines-on  an'  come  down  f'um  dar.' 
She  go  on  lak  dat  'kase  she  ain'  got  sense  'miff  ter 
know  he  wuz  jes'  ez  much  at  home  up  dar  ez  w'at  she 
wuz  on  de  groun',  an'  dat  his  tricks  wuz  jes'  ez  natchel 
an'  easy  fer  him  ez  w'at  hern  wuz  fer  her.  De  trouble 
wid  her  wuz  she  think  she  know  hit  all. 

"Pres'n'y  Mis'  Jinny  Wren,  whar  live  up  in  de  same 
tree  an'  wuz  gre't  fren's  wid  Brer  Squ'l,  she  git  tired  er 
lis'nin'  at  Mis'  Hyar's  foolishness,  an'  she  say  ter  hus- 
se'f ,  she  do,  'I  gwine  mek  up  a  song  'bout  dat  fool  ooman 
an'  sing  hit  out  good  an'  loud,  so's't  she'll  know  some- 
b'dy  else  year  her  gwines-on  sidesen  dat  nice  li'l  Brer 
Squ'l  whar  don'  'spicion  nob'dy.  I  'low  hit  teck  one 
ooman  ter  see  daylight  thu  anu'rr.  Dese  mens  don' 
seem  ter  be  up  ter  de  bizness.' 

119 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

"Wid  dat  she  cle'rd  her  th'oat  a  li'l  an'  sung  a  note 
er  two  ter  git  de  pitch,  an'  den  she  stick  her  haid  outen 
a  hole  in  de  tree  an'  sing  out  loud  'z  she  kin, 

'Squ'l  Tie  jump  fum  limb  ter  limb, 
Or  Hyar9  sot  an'  look  at  him; 
01'  Hyar9  say  onto  liusse'f, 
Dat  Squ'l  don'  min'  Tie  Tcill  Tiisse'f' " 

"And  what  did  Molly  Hare  do  then  ?"  asked  Ned. 

"Law,  honey,  she  wuz  dat  mad  at  bein'  overyearn  by 
nu'rr  ooman  dat  she  jes'  ga'rrd  husse'f  toge'rr  an'  lit 
out  fer  home,  same  'z  I  gotter  do  dis  ve'y  minnit  er  my 
ol'  man  be  sendin'  one'r  de  gran'chillen  ter  fin'  me.  I 
kain't  stay  yer  runnin'  on  all  night,  an'  dat  sut'n'y  is 
yo'  maw  I  year  callin'.  Ef  y'all  don'  g'long  back  ter 
de  house  I  boun'  you  she  gin  you  a  dose  er  w'at  Paddy 
gin  de  drum;  y'all  know  w'at  dat  wuz." 


120 


WHY  THE  BTJZZAED  IS  BALD 


One  day  the  children  dropped  into  Aunt  'Phrony's 
cahin  and  found  her  sitting  before  the  fire  with  her  dog, 
Snap,  curled  up  at  her  feet.  Little  Kit  climbed  up  on 
her  lap,  put  his  little  arms  about  her  neck,  and  laying 
his  soft,  pink  cheek  against  her  dusky  one,  begged  for 
"anuzzer  giant  story."  Aunt  'Phrony's  was  not  a  very 
responsive  nature,  but  she  could  not  resist  the  endear- 
ments of  the  pretty  baby-boy.  She  hugged  him  fast, 
stroking  his  curls  and  declaring  he  should  have  what 
he  wanted  if  she  had  to  "bust  her  breens"  to  recall  it  for 
him.  Her  brains  stood  the  strain,  however,  for  she 
soon  announced  to  the  little  boy,  "Now,  den,  my  lamb, 
my  honey-bud,  I  gwine  gin  you  a  story  'bout  de  race 
'twix'  Mistah  Deer  an'  Mistah  Tukkey,  an'  w'ile  'tain' 
so  much  all  'bout  a  giant,  yit  dar's  a  giant  comes  inter 
hit. 

"One  time  de  Deer  an  de  Tukkey  wuz  gwine  have  a 
race.  Mos'  de  creeturs  thought  dish  yer  wuz  plumb 
reedikelous,  'kase  de  Deer  wuz  knowed  ez  de  swif'es' 
uv  all  de  beas'eses  an'  hit  seem  ter  dem  dat  Tukkey 
wuz  settin'  hisse'f  up  might'ly  ter  race  wid  sech  a  run- 
ner ez  w'at  de  Deer  wuz  knowed  ter  be.  Dey  ses,  TJm- 
umph !  jes'  look  at  dat  feller's  li'l  haid  an'  you  kin  see 
w'y  he  talk  foolish ;  ain't  got  room  fer  mo'n  a  thimble- 
ful er  breens.  He  dunno  B  f'um  bull's  foot.  Struts 

121 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


roun'  an'  swells  hisse'f  up  an'  looks  mighty  proud  an* 
biggitty,  but  jes'  let  him  open  his  mouf  an'  talk  an'  you 
kin  look  in  thu  de  crack  an'  fin'  out  how  empty  his  haid 
is  inside.' 

"But  yit,  atter  all,  de  Tukkey  wuz  a  right  swif  bu'd 
in  dem  days,  an'  so  w'en  de  creeturs  all  met  toge'rr  ter 
bet  on  de  race  dar  wuz  some  un  'em  w'at  putt  der  bets  on 
de  Tukkey." 

"I  thought  betting  was  wrong,"  interrupted  little  Miss 
Janey,  with  her  most  knowing  air. 

"So  'tis,  so  'tis,"  said  Aunt  'Phrony.  "Is  you  uver 
year  me  say  'twuz  right?  Hits  plumb  wrong,  but  de 
creeturs  done  hit,  jes'  the  same  ez  men  does ;  you  kain't 
'spec'  dem  ter  be  better  dan  w'at  men  is,  dough  I  ain' 
so  sho',  atter  all,  but  w'at  dey  is  better.  De  beas'eses  'ud 
be  'shame'  ter  kyar'  on  de  way  some  humans  does,  dat 
dey  would.  Anyhows,  de  creeturs  sut'n'y  bet  on  dat  race. 
Ev'yb'dy  wuz  dar,  an'  some  er  de  fowels  betted  on  de 
Deer  an'  some  er  de  beas'eses  betted  on  de  Tukkey,  but 
mos'  er  de  bu'ds  wuz  fer  der  own  man,  Mistah  Tukkey, 
an'  mos'  er  de  beas'eses  wuz  fer  Mistah  Deer. 

"Mistah  Coon  wuz  struttin'  roun',  mighty  empaw- 
tant,  tryin'  ter  git  folks  ter  bet  wid  'im.  'I  lay  you  five 
ter  one  on  Mistah  Deer;  come  on  any  un  you  dat  ain' 
'f  eard  ter  putt  up,'  sezee,  Tse  teckin'  all  de  bets  I  kin  git 
dis  mawnin'. 

"'Done!'  sez  de  Owl,  sezee,  an'  dey  bofe  went  an' 
han'ed  over  der  proputty  ter  de  wimmin-folks  dat  wuz 
teckin'  charge  er  all  de  stuff  whar  bin  betted;  dar  wuz 
a  gre't  pile  uv  hit  layin'  on  de  groun'  wid  de  wimmins 
keepin'  gyard  over  hit.  Lots  er  things  changed  ban's 
dat  day,  I  kin  tell  you.  Even  Mistah  Ant  done  brung 

122 


WHY   THE   BUZZAED   IS   BALD 

sump'n  ter  putt  up,  an'  'twuz  neener  mo'  ner  less  dan 
a  daid  caterpillar,  dough  you  cu'd  sca'cely  tell  hit  fer 
dat,  'kase  he  done  pull  out  ev'y  single  hya'r  so's't  he  cu'd 
drag  hit  down  de  hole  whar  he  live." 

"Pshaw !  Aunt  'Phrony,"  said  Ned,  "ants  don't  really 
do  that,  do  they?" 

"Well,  I  dunno  Vat-all  ants  does,"  she  answered, 
"but  I  knows  I  saw  some  dat  I  wuz  watchin'  one  day 
do  dat  ve'y  thing.  Dey  hrung  Mistah  Caterpillar  ter  de 
ant-hill  an'  tried  ter  drag  him  down  de  hole  wid  all  his 
fuzz  on,  an'  w'en  dey  f oun'  dat  oon  do,  dey  jes'  natchelly 
went  ter  wu'k  an'  pulled  ev'y  hya'r  out,  an'  w'ats  mo' 
dey  lef  'em  layin'  in  two  straight  lines  on  each  side  er 
de  body,  an'  den  dey  drug  him  down  de  hole.  Dem  ants 
is  de  smartes'  creeturs  in  de  worl',  ef  dey  is  'mongs'  de 
li'les'. 

"Well,  now,  'bout  dat  race.  Ev'ybd'y  wuz  dar,  an' 
dar  wuz  a  gran'  talkin'  an'  buzzin'  an'  hummin'  f  um 
ev'y  sort  er  voice  dat  de  creeturs  talk  in,  an'  dar  wuz 
some  f ussin'  an'  quoilin' ;  dat  sho'  ter  be  wharuver  any 
bettin'  gwine  on.  01'  Buzzu'd  he  wuz  settin'  up  on  a 
bare  limb  waitin'  ter  gin  de  wu'd  fer  de  race  ter  'mence, 
'kase  he  wuz  'p'inted  fer  ter  be  de  jedge.  Jes'  den  up 
come  a  giant  ter  watch  de  race,  an'  he  year  Mistah  Lion 
gwine  struttin'  an'  r'arin'  'bout,  an'  he  lissen  ter  w*at 
he  say. 

"  'Hi,  yi !'  sez  de  Lion,  sezee,  'I  ain'  gwine  putt  up 
none  er  my  propputty.  W'ats  a  li'l  bit  er  truck  lak  dat 
in  yon*  pile,  whar  no  pusson  wants,  atter  all?  Fse  so 
sho'  Mistah  Deer  gwine  beat  dat  Fse  willin'  ter  putt  up 
my  life  'gins'  any  fool  dat  '11  resk  his  life  on  dat  numb- 
skull, Mistah  Wi'yum  WiP-tukkey.  Eeckon  I  orter 

123 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

know  how  fas'  Mistah  Dapple-deer  kin  go ;  I  done  chase 
him  often  'miff  .' 


"Nob'dy  spoke  up,  'kase  dey  wuz  all  mighty  'f eard  er 
Mistah  Lion  an'  know  dey  ain'  got  much  chanct  w'en  hit 
come  ter  tryin'  der  life  'gins'  his.  So  ev'thing  wuz 

.124 


WHY   THE   BUZZAKD   IS   BALD 

mighty  quiet  all  ter  onct,  an'  Lion  he  kep'  on  roarin' 
an'  struttin'  an'  axin'  some  un  ter  bet  der  life  wid  him. 
Jes'  den  'long  come  a  giant,  one'r  dese  yer  sho'-'nuff 
giants  whar  got  strenk  'nuff  ter  pull  up  a  hill  by  de 
roots  an'  walk  off  wid  hit  ef  dey  wanster.  He  year  w'at 
Lion  sayin'  an'  he  tuck  up  de  bet.  'I  putts  my  life  on 
de  Tukkey,'  sezee.  Tse  yo'  man,  Mistah  Lion,  an'  I 
don'  kyare  who  knows  hit,  dats  me.  I'll  putt  my  life 
'gins'  de  hull  kit  an'  bilin',  ef  you  sesso,  an'  not  turn  a 
hya'r  in  de  doin','  sezee. 

"Lion  he  gin  a  scawnful  sniff  dat  wuz  half  snort  an' 
half  roar,  an'  he  say,  he  do,  'Well,  ef  dat  don'  beat  bob- 
tail! Dish  yer  human  creetur  ter  set  hisse'f  up  'gin' 
me!  Seem  lak  I  sca'cely  kin  keep  f'um  diggin'  my 
claws  inter  him  dish  yer  ve'y  minnit.  Some  er  you  fel- 
lers bes'  come  an'  hoi'  me  down  'twel  de  race  is  over,' 
sezee.  I  let  yer  know  dat  none  er  de  fellers  'cepted  dat 
eenvite,  dough;  dey  lef  him  ter  hisse'f,  walkin'  up  an' 
down,  frailin'  de  air  wid  his  tail  an'  wu'kkin'  his  claws 
in  an'  out  lak  he  'z  gittin'  good  an'  raidy. 

"Jes'  'bout  den  ol'  Jedge  Bizzy  Buzzu'd  he  gin  de 
wu'd  ter  start,  an'  den  Deer  an'  Tukkey  wuz  off  lak  shots, 
an'  ev'yb'dy  craned  der  necks  atter  'em  an'  fergot  all 
'bout  de  Lion  an'  de  giant.  At  fus'  Deer  he  wuz  way  in 
de  lead,  but  'long  'bout  middle-ways  er  de  co'se  Tukkey 
he  'mence  ter  creep  up  on  'im,  an'  bless  goodness,  he 
kotch  up  an'  kep'  even  wid  him  an'  jes'  'fo'  dey  got  ter  de 
een'  ef  he  am'  come  out  a  deer's  lenk  ahaid  uv  him. 
All  dem  whar  bin  bettin'  on  de  Tukkey  sont  up  a  gre't 
cheer,  an'  Jedge  Bizzy  Buzzu'd  he  say,  sezee,  <Ladiz  an* 
gemmen,  feller  creeturs  er  dese  diggin's,  you  done  seed 
fit  ter  'p'int  me  ter  de  'pawtant  office  er  jedge  on  dis 

125 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

'casion,  w'ich  office  I  done  fill  ter  de  bes'  er  my  disabil'ty, 
an'  I  hope  hit  gwine  be  sassifact'ry  ter  you  all  w'en  I 
bounce  dat  ow'  fren',  Mistah  Wi'yum  Wil'-tukkey  is 
de  winner  er  dis  race,  all  fa'r  an'  squar',  comin'  out 
jes'  one  lenk  ahaid  uv  ow'  'spected  f  ren',  Mistah  Dapple- 
deer.  You  is  all  now  reques'  ter  step  up  ter  de  pile  an' 
teck  yo'  goods  whar  you  betted  f  er ;  de  ladiz  gwine  see  dat 
you  git  w'at  comin'  ter  you.  I  don'  wanter  year  'bout 
none  er  you  snougin'  an'  snatchin'  w'at  don'  b'long  to 
you.  Le's  be  mannerly  'bout  dis.  You,  Mistah  Lion! 
You,  Mistah  Giant !  Come  'way  f 'um  dat  pile !  You 
got  no  bizness  dar.  Yo'  'greemint  wuz  ter  bet  yo'  lif es  on 
dis,  an'  we-all  wanster  see  you  come  on  an'  fill  de  con- 
trac'.  I'se  settin'  yer  ter  see  f a'r  play  an'  I  gwine  do  hit, 
ef  I  hatter  be  turn  down  at  de  nex'  'leckshun  fer  doin' 
hit.  Dats  w'at  a  jedge  is  fer,  ter  see  fa'r  play,  an'  I 
wants  y'all  ter  know  hit.  Dis  way,  Mistah  Lion ;  dis  way, 
Mistah  Giant.' 

"Den  de  giant  he  step  fo'th  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Well, 
Mistah  Lion,  dish  yer's  whar  I  reckon  I  gotter  teck  yo' 
life.' 

"Lion  he  roar  hisse'f  hoarse  an'  bristle  up  his  mane, 
an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Now  lissen  at  dat  fool  man !  He  ain' 
nuver  run  up  ag'in  my  claws  er  he  oon  talk  lak  dat. 
Jes'  wait  ontwel  I  hook  'em  inter  him  an'  you  '11  year 
him  laugh  on  tu'rr  side  uv  his  mouf.  Who  dat  you 
gwine  teck  his  life  ?  Me  ?  Now  I  stan's  bef o'  all  dese 
folks  an'  I  axes  you  ter  come  on  an'  do  hit.'. 

"Wid  dat  de  giant  he  retch  down  an'  pick  up  de  Lion 
by  de  scruff  er  de  neck  an'  dash  him  hard  on  de  groun', 
an'  w'en  dey  all  come  a-runnin',  dar  wuz  de  gre't  Mistah 
Lion  stretch  out  on  de  yearf,  stone  daid.  Dey  all  mek 

126 


WHY   THE   BTJZZAED   IS   BALD 


gre't  'miration,  but  dey  ain'  was'e  many  tears  over  Jim, 
'kase  dey  wuz  all  so  'feard  uv  him,  dat  mos'  uv  'em  wuz 
glad  ter  git  shed  uv  him. 

"Jedge  Bizzy  Buzzu'd  he  mek  'em  a  li'l  speech.  He 
say,  sezee,  'My  fren's,  ef  I  ain'  stuck  ter  my  p'int  an' 
done  my  jooty,  dish  yer  rampin',  r'arin',  rippin',  roarin', 
boasin',  tearin'  creetur  'ud  be  livin'  dis  ve'y  minnit 
ter  set  y'all  shakin'  an'  quakin'.  Dars  no  'nyin'  dat 
fac';  I  wants  y'all  ter  'member  dat  nex'  time  you 
has  'casion  ter  'p'int  anu'rr  jedge.  An'  now  I  mus' 
come  down  offen  dis  perch  an'  tell  y'all  "so  long,"  'kase  I 
sees  some  mighty  p'tickler  bizness  waitin'  fer  me  over 
yonner  in  dat  fur  fiel'.' 

"Wid  dat  Jedge  Buzzu'd  flopped  his  wings  an'  flewed 
off  an'  lef  de  creeturs  ter  talk  de  marter  over,  an'  I 
boun'  you  der  tongues  wagged  scannelous.  De  fowels 
whar  betted  on  Mistah  Dapple-deer  an'  los'  wuz  plumb 
'stunded  wid  de  'cision  Jedge  Buzzu'd  mek  in  de  case. 
'Lawdy,  lawdy!'  dey  sez,  'te  think  er  dat  ol'  ninkum 
settin'  up  ter  know  mo'n  we-all  an'  passin'  jedgments  fer 
us !  We'll  be  switched  ef  we  set  down  unner  no  sech  ez 
dat.  Now  see  yer,  w'at  we  gwine  do  'bout  dis  ?  Mistah 
Tarry-long  Tarr'pin,  you  orter  be  de  one  ter  teck  dat 
fowel  down,  'kase  you  done  owe  him  a  gredge  uver  sence 
de  time  he  mek  de  'cision  'gins'  you  w'en  you  race  wid 
de  hummin'-bu'd.  Mistah  Lion  he  daid  an'  gone;  he 
kain't  sottle  Jedge  Buzzu'd's  hash  fer  him,  so  now  we 
gwine  putt  ow'  'pennance  on  you/ 

"Tarr'pin  he  study  a  w'ile  an'  den  he  say,  'Gemmen, 
I  wish  you  ain'  spring  dis  on  me  so  suddintly.  Seem 
lak  hit  drive  all  de  idees  outen  my  haid.  You  orter 
tol*  me  'bout  dis  sooner,  den  mebbe  I  moughter  had 

127 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

sump'n  raidy.  Y'all  have  ter  wait  now  ontwel  I  sees 
my  way  cle'r.  Time,  time,  gimme  time;  seem  lak  I 
am'  nuver  had  'miff  er  dat  yit.  But  ef  you'll  do  dat, 
I'll  promuss  ter  do  de  bes'  I  kin,  an'  dats  all  I  ken  do.' 

"Dey  sez  to  'im,  'Teck  all  de  time  dey  is,  Mistah 
Tarry-long,  jes'  so  you  fix  him  out  in  de  een'.  Git 
yo'se'f  a  good  raidy  an'  den  whu'l  in  an'  teck  him  down 
so  fur  't  he'll  know  jes'  who  he  is.' 

"Wid  dat  dey  all  up  an'  go  home,  an'  f  um  dat  time 
on  Tarry-long  he  study  an'  he  study  an'  he  study  'bout 
Jedge  Bizzy  Buzzu'd.  Las'  one  day  he  come  'long  an' 
seed  ol'  Buzzu'd  layin'  fas'  asleep  in  de  heat  er  de  day, 
teckin'  a  noonin'  under  a  tree.  He  crope  up  closter  an* 
he  year  Buzzu'd  snorin'  'way  lak  a  steam  injin'  an'  ev'y 
now  an'  den  lettin'  out  a  li'l  puff  er  a  snort.  'De  laws 
an'  de  prophits!'  sezee,  'lissen  at  dat  ol'  man,  'nuff  ter 
'sturb  de  hull  naberhoods.  Nemmine,  suits  my  time 
prezackly.' 

"He  sot  dar  a  w'ile  laughin'  at  Jedge  Buzzu'd,  'kase 
he  look  plumb  reedikelous  wid  his  footses  stickin'  up  in 
de  air  an'  his  mouf  wide  open.  Den  he  crope  up  an'  he 
crope  up  an'  he  try  ol'  Buzzu'd  by  ticklin'  'im  on  de  toes, 
but  de  Jedge  wuz  so  fas'  asleep  dat  he  jes'  drord  'em  up 
a  li'l  an'  gin  a  extry  loud  puff  an'  den  went  on  'tendin' 
ter  his  breathin'.  Den  Tarr'pin  he  crope  up  closter  yit 
an'  tuck  a  hull  han'ful  er  li'l  insec's  an'  putt  'em  on 
Buzzu'd's  haid,  an'  den  he  crope  off  an'  went  home  fas' 
ez  he  cu'd,  w'ich  'twan't  no  faster  dan  de  law  'low. 

"Jedge  Buzzu'd  sut'n'y  had  a  time  wid  his  haid.  Dem 
norty  li'l  insec's  ain'  lef  him  no  peace  day  ner  night, 
an'  de  long  an'  de  shawt  uv  hit  wuz  dat  he  los'  ev'y 
hya'r  outen  his  haid,  an'  he  bin  gwine  roun'  bald-haided 

128 


WHY   THE   BUZZAED   IS   BALD 

liver  sence.  You  kin  see  'im  mos'  any  day  in  de  'ear 
perch'  up  in  a  ol'  daid  tree,  wid  his  haid  all  bare  ter  de 
sun  an'-  de  wind  an'  de  rain,  lookin'  mighty  sollumcholly 
an'  thinkin'  over  dem  ol'  days  w'en  he  ac'  de  part  er 
jedge  fer  de  creeturs  an'  dey  snatch  him  bald-haided  fer 
his  pains." 


THE  'POSSUM  AND  THE  GEUB-WOEM 


At  the  close  of  the  story  Aunt  'Phrony  mildly  re- 
proved Ned  for  teasing  Snip  and  Snap,  her  cat  and  dog, 
and  Janey  hastened  to  turn  attention  from  him  by  say- 
ing the  first  thing  that  came  into  her  head.  "Oh,  Aunt 
'Phrony/'  she  cried,  "you  haven't  told  us  anything  about 
the  'Possum  for  a  long  time.  Don't  you  know  any  more 
stories  about  him?" 

If  'Phrony  saw  through  the  simple  device  by  which 
Janey  meant  to  kill  two  birds  with  one  stone,  she  made 
no  sign,  but  obligingly  racked  her  brains  for  more  news 
of  the  'Possum's  doings.  At  length  she  was  able  to  re- 
member a  story  about  "Mis'  'Possum"  and  "Mistah 
Grub-wu'm." 

"Dey  wiiz  bofe  un  'em  mighty  fat  folks,  an'  lak  lots 
er  fat  folks,  dey  wuz  right  lazy  an'  nuver  go  nowhars 
dey  ain'  hatter  go,  jes'  mosey  roun'  a  li'l  ter  git  der 
vittles  an'  stay  still  at  home  de  res'  er  de  time,  w'ile 
tu'rr  creeturs  all  time  traipsin'  an'  trollopin'  up  an' 
down  de  kyountry  ter  see  w'at  dey  kin  see  an'  year  w'at 
dey  kin  year  an'  do  w'at  dey  kin  do.  Mis'  'Possum  she 
stay  in  a  holler  tree  an'  snooge  de  time  away,  an'  Mistah 
Grub-wu'm  he  snuggle  down  jes*  beneaf  de  top  er  de 
groun'  an'  dream  'bout  de  time  he  gwine  turn  inter  a 
beetle  an'  live  on  top  de  groun'." 

"Do  grubs  turn  into  beetles?"  asked  Ned,  rather  in- 
credulously. 

130 


Mis'  'Possum  She  Stan'  In  Her  Do' 


Page  131 


THE   'POSSUM   AND   THE   GEUB-WOEM 

"Yas,  suh,  dat  dey  does !  dish  yer  one  w'at  I  tell  'bout, 
he  lays  low  un'need  de  yearf  'twel  May  er  June  an'  den 
comes  out  an'  turns  inter  one'r  dese  yer  pocty  green 
an'  brown  beetles  whar  dey  calls  'June  beetles' ;  de  kin' 
chillen  ketches  an'  sets  ter  junin'." 

Of  course  the  little  folks  wanted  to  know  what 
"junin' "  was. 

"Laws-a-mussy !"  said  'Phrony,  "I  thought  all  chillen 
knowed  how  ter  June  a  bug.  W'y,  you  jes'  tecks  de  beetle 
an'  ties  a  string  to  'im  an'  hoi's  on  ter  one  een'  er  de 
string  an'  lets  him  fly  ter  de  urr  een'  er  de  string,  an* 
den  he  hums  an'  buzzes  an'  fusses  an'  cusses,  an'  dat's 
w'at  dey  calls  'junin'/ 

"Now,  den,  lemme  start  ag'in.  I  done  tol'  you  dat 
Mistah  Grub-wu'm  an'  Mis'  'Possum  wuz  bofe  un  'em 
fat  an'  lazy  an'  lak  ter  stay  home.  But  dey  mighty  fond 
er  knowin'  w'at  gwine  on  in  de  worl',  an'  w'en  tu'rr 
creeturs  go  ter  de  kyouncil  ter  'tend  ter  de  'fairs  er  de 
kyountry,  dese  yer  stay-at-homes  ain'  gin  'em  no  peace, 
w'en  dey  git  back,  pesterin'  'em  wid  queschins  'bout 
w'at  went  on  at  de  kyouncil.  One  time  some  er  de  cree- 
turs wuz  gwine  by  f'um  de  meetin',  an'  Mis'  'Possum 
she  stan'  in  her  do'  an'  hail  'em  an'  ax  'em  fer  ter  come 
in  an'  set  a  w'ile. 

"Dey  ses,  '  'Scuse  we-all,  ma'am,  we  'bleeged  fer  ter 
be  gittin'  on,'  an'  dey  ses  ter  one  nu'rr  behime  der  han's : 
'Land!  land!  le's  mek  has'e  an'  git  outer  dis  er  dat 
ooman'll  nab  us  an'  nail  us  ter  de  cheers  all  night/ 

"Mis'  'Possum  she  say,  sez  she:  'Gemmen,  I  ain' 
gwine  teck  no  fer  a  arnser.  You-all  mus'  be  plumb 
frazzle  out  wid  yo'  walk.  You  mus'  come  in  an'  teck  off 
yo'  shoes  an'  res'  yo'  hufs,  an'  den  lemme  gin  you  a 

131 


F**7  //!/        '  —   1      /  *^     \  ?vKl  I  \          U 


AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 

plate  er  'simmons  an'  a  glass  er  buttermilk.  Now,  you 
year  me,  I  ain'  gwine  let  you  off/ 

"De  vittles  fetched  'em,  lak  hit  alluz  does  wid  de 
men-folks,  an'  in  dey  earned.  Mis'  'Possum  she  ax  'em 
queschins  'bout  who  wuz  dar  an'  w'at  dey  wo'  an'  w'at 
dey  have  ter  eat,  an'  w'at  laws  bin  pass',  ontwel  dey 
wuz  fair'  wil'.  Dey  git  so  wo'  out  an'  aggervex  dat  w'en 
she  go  outer  de  room  ter  fetch  de  'simmons  an'  de  but- 
termilk, dey  git  ter  collogin'  toge'rr  an'  fix  up  a  li'l 
joke  on  her.  W'en  she  come  back  she  putt  down  de 
plate  an'  de  glasses,  an'  putt  her  ban's  on  her  hips  an' 
stood  watchin'  'em  eat,  talkin'  at  'em  all  de  time. 

"  'Dellaws !'  she  say,  'y'all  ain'  gin  me  no  news  wuf 
talkin'  'bout.  Is  dat  all  you  kin  'member  er  de  doin's  ?' 

"Den  one  un  'em  he  wink  at  de  res'  an'  he  say,  he  do, 
'Law,  bless  yo'  soul,  Mis'  'Possum,  I  nigh  mos'  fergit 
ter  tell  you  de  kyouncil  done  pass  a  law  dat  all  de  aner- 
muels  mus'  pervide  deyse'fs  wid  a  pouch  so's't  dey  kin 
kyar'  der  chillen  roun'  wid  'em.' 

"  Ter  de  lan's  sake !'  sez  she,  'how  I  gwine  git  me  any 
pouch  ter  kyar'  roun'  wid  me  ?' 

"  'Nemmine,'  dey  sez ;  'we  bring  you  de  hide ;  all  you 
gotter  do  be  ter  mek  de  pouch.' 

"So  dat  w'at  dey  do,  an'  Mis'  'Possum  she  strukken 
wid  de  notion  dat  she  save  husse'f  de  trouble  er  kyar'yin' 
de  bag  on  'er  arm  ef  she  jes'  sew  hit  to  'er  body  instid, 
so,  sho'z  yo'  bawn,  she  jes'  sew  hit  on  her  own  hide,  right 
in  front,  an'  dar  whar  she  bin  kyar'yin'  her  chillen  uver 
sence.  Tu'rr  creeturs  raise  a  big  hoot  w'en  dey  see  'er 
gwine  roun'  lak  dat,  de  onies'  one  'mongs'  'em  all  whar 
kyar'  der  young  'uns  dat-a-way. 

"Mis'  'Possum  ain'  kyare.  She  say,  'Gemmen,  de 
132 


THE    'POSSUM    AND    THE    GRUB-WORM 


joke's  on  me  dis  time.  But  sho !  'tain'  bodder  me.  You 
done  me  a  mighty  good  turn ;  dis  heap  better  dan  gwine 
roun'  totin'  my  chillen  wid  my  mouf,  de  way  some  er 
you  hatter  do  w'en  you  wanster  tote  yo'n.'  An'  so  ter 
dis  day  she  teck  her  chillen  ev'ywhar  she  go,  even  w'en 
she  go  out  ter  rob  a  hen-roos'.  Sometimes  she  lays  down 
on  de  groun'  in  de  sun,  an'  dey  walks  outer  de  pouch  an*  • 
climbs  all  over  her  an'  squats  down  an'  hangs  on  by 
curlin'  de  een's  er  der  long  tails  roun'  her  hya'r.  I 
done  seed  a  dozen  uv  'em  at  onct,  jes'  settin'  all  over 
der  mammy  an'  hangin'  on  by  der  tails. 

"Atter  de  creeturs  lef  Mis'  'Possum  dey  g'long  li'l 
ways  an'  met  up  wid  Mistah  Grub-wu'm,  an'  he  turnt 
to  an'  'gun  ter  pussecoot  'em  lak  she  bin  doin'.  Dey  got 
jes'  natchelly  wo'  out  wid  'im,  so  dey  went  off  a  li'l 
piece  ter  confabulate  toge'rr.  'Now  ain'  dis  jes'  too 
much!'  dey  ses.  'Why  n't  dis  man  go  ter  de  kyouncil 
an'  use  his  own  eyes  an'  years?  Mis'able  lazybones! 
So  fat  he  kain't  'ambulate,  broad  'z  he  is  long.' 

"One  un  'em  say  ter  tu'rrs,  ' Jes'  lef  dis  man  ter  me ; 
I  gwine  show  him  huccome !'  Den  he  go  back  an'  he 
say  ter  Mistah  Grub-wu'm,  'Mistah  Grub,  we'all  done 
fergit  ter  tell  you  de  kyouncil  done  pass  a  law  dat  all 
anermuels  mus'  crawl  on  der  backs.  Dey  say  we  bin 
gwine  roun'  wid  ow'  eyes  on  de  groun'  long  'miff,  an' 
now  we  mus'  turn  over  an'  look  up  in  de  worl'.' 

"  'Umph !'  sez  de  Grub-wu'm,  sezee,  'dat  suit  me  to  a 
gnat's  bristle,  'kase  I  don'  reckon  folks  gwine  'spec'  me 
ter  git  roun'  so  fas'  ef  I  hatter  trabel  on  my  back.  I 
kin  teck  hit  easy  den,  sho'  'nuff.  Stan'  outer  de  way, 
you-all,  yer  goes!'  Wid  dat  he  roll  over  on  his  back 
an'  try  ter  crawl.  Mighty  hard  wu'k.  He  wrassel  an'  he 

133 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

tussel  an'  he  tug,  but  he  ain'  mek  no  headways.  'Whew ! 
dis  mek  me  tired,  sho'  'nuff.  I  gwine  turn  me  over  an' 
do  de  ol'  way/  sezee;  'mighty  easy  fer  folks  ter  set  up 
in  de  high  seats  an'  gin  der  orders.  I  wish  all  dem  dat 
gin  orders  hatter  try  'em  on  derse'fs  befo'  dey  kin  pass 
inter  laws/ 

"He  try  ter  turn  back  on  his  stummick,  but,  bless  yo' 
soul,  dar  wan't  no  turn  to  him.  He  huff  an'  he  puff,  but 
'twan't  no  use.  De.creeturs  dey  stood  by  an'  snickered 
an'  aiged  him  on  an'  let  on  ter  try  an'  he'p  him.  Las' 
dey  cu'dden  stan'  hit  no  longer,  an'  dey  bus'  out  laugh- 
in'  an'  sez,  'Heyo,  Mistah  Grub,  we  done  got  you  fix'  dis 
time.  Eeckon  you  won't  go  pesterin'  we-all  no  mo'  wid 
yo'  queschins  'bout  de  kyouncil.  You  hatter  trabel  all  de 
way  dar  on  yo'  back  atter  dis  ef  you  wanter  know  w'at 
gwine  on.  You  kain't  'pend  on  we-all  no  mo'.  So-long, 
ol'  man.' 

"Sence  den  ol'  Grub-wu'm  bin  doin'  all  his  walkin' 
on  his  back,  an'  he  bin  at  hit  so  long  now  dat  he  done 
got  right  spry.  Sometimes  atter  a  haivy  rain  he  come 
up  ter  de  top  er  de  groun',  an'  you  kin  see  him  jes' 
mo'n  scootin'  roun'  on  his  back. 

"Now  dat's  all  de  tales  you  gwine  git  outen  me  dis 
day.  I  is  plumb  wo'  out,  same  'z  de  creeturs  wuz  wo' 
out,  wid  queschins." 

Just  then  little  Kit  gave  Aunt  'Phrony  an  unlucky  hit 
on  the  elbow  from  a  stick  with  which  he  was  playing. 
She  seemed  more  put  out  than  the  occasion  warranted, 
but  explained  it  by  saying  that  if  your  crazy-bone  was 
hit  you  were  sure  to  be  disappointed.  Ned,  who  was  a 
very  matter-of-fact  young  person,  inclined  to  believe 
only  in  the  things  he  saw,  wanted  to  know  if  she  really 

134 


THE  TOSSUM  AND  THE  GRUB-WOKM 

believed  in  signs  like  that.  As  on  a  previous  occasion, 
she  expressed  firm  faith  and  added  that  she  believed 
there  was  scarcely  anything  which  happened  that  was 
not  a  sign  if  you  only  knew  how  to  read  it  aright. 

"Urr  folks,"  she  said,  "has  tuck  notuss  er  dat  sidesen 
me,  an'  dey  done  putt  'em  inter  rhymes  an'  jingles  an* 
sech,  so  't  folks  kin  'member  'em  better.  Mebbe  I  kin 
gin  you  some  un  'em.  Lessee,  dar's  one  ses, 

'Eight  liari  itch,  rub  on  wood 

An'  say,  come  good,  come  good,  come  good; 

Lef  nan  itch,  rub  on  brass 

An'  say,  come  fas',  come  fas',  come  fas'.' 

"Ef  you'll  say  dem  wu'ds  an'  blow  on  yo'  han'  an'  den 
shet  hit  tight  you  gwine  git  a  present,  sho',  sooner  er 
later.  Ef  yo'  years  itch,  some  un  talkin'  'bout  you  an* 
you  mus'  say  ter  yo'se'f, 

'Talk  good,  good  betide  you; 
Talk  bad,  devil  ride  you' 

"Ef  yo'  eye  itch,  you  gwine  see  a  stranger,  an'  ef  yo' 
mouf  itch  you  gwine  git  a  kiss  f 'um  a  stranger.  Sho ! 
dar's  mo'  signs  dan  you  kin  shake  a  stick  at,  but  you 
kain't  'spec'  me  ter  think  'em  all  up  ter  onct.  I  done  gin 
you  'nuff  fer  one  time." 


135 


ME.  HARE,  ME.  MINK  AND  MIS'  DUCK 

"Aunt  'Phrony,"  said  Ned  one  day,  "do  you  know  any 
stories  about  Mis'  Duck  ?" 

"Wat  mek  you  think  'bout  her  ?"  she  asked. 

"Oh,"  said  he,  "I  saw  her  waddlin'  roun'  the  yard 
the  other  day  and  I  wondered  why  you  had  never  told 
us  any  story  about  her." 

"Sho!  chil',"  said  she,  "w'at  you  reckon  I  wanter 
study  'bout  dat  li'l  ol'  no-kyount  quackin'  fool  f er  ?  I'se 
gittin'  too  ol'  ter  let  my  min'  run  on  'bout  sech  foolish- 
ness ez  dem  ol'  tales,  anyhows.  Me  wid  one  foot  on  dry 
Ian'  an'  one  in  de  grave;  I  orter  be  thinkin'  'bout  dish 
yer  uverlas'in'  soul  er  mine  ev'y  minnit  I  am'  hatter 
think  'bout  meat  an'  drink  an'  kiverin'  fer  dis  po'  ol' 
pe'ishin'  body  er  mine." 

"Oh,"  said  Ned  apologetically,  "I  never  thought  about 
its  being  foolishness.  I  like  your  stories  a  lot,  and 
I  know  there  are  not  many  people  can  tell  them  the  way 
you  can,  unless  it's  Aunt  Nancy." 

It  was  nice  of  Ned  to  be  loyal  to  the  absent  Aunt 
Nancy,  but  her  name  at  once  ruffled  Aunt  'Phrony,  for 
she  went  on :  "I  reckon  you  mought  know  'twuz  foolish- 
ness w'atuver  dat  ooman  tell  you.  Sidesen  dat,  knowin' 
is  one  thing  an'  tellin's  anu'rr.  Mebbe  I  knows  tales 
'bout  Mis'  Duck,  but  mebbe  I  ain'  think  hit  wuf  de  w'ile 
ter  tell  'em." 

The  children  proceeded  to  offer  bribes  with  a  view 
136 


ME.  HAEE,  MR.  MINK  AND  MIS'  DUCK 

to  making  it  worth  Aunt  'Phrony's  while.  Janey  pro- 
duced the  battered  brass  thimble  with  which  she  was 
wont  to  force  a  great  spike  of  a  needle  through  her  doll- 
rags.  Ned  offered  his  best  "agate/'  and  little  Kit  offered 
a  kiss  as  the  only  marketable  thing  in  his  possession. 
The  kiss  carried  the  day,  and,  after  the  old  woman  had 
filled  and  lighted  her  pipe  and  taken  a  few  preliminary 
puffs,  she  began: 

"One  time  Mistah  Hyar'  met  up  wid  Mistah  Mink 
an'  he  putt  out  his  paw  an'  shuk  ban's  an'  made  his- 
se'f  monst'ous  fren'ly,  an'  done  lak  he  thought  Mink 
was  a  mighty  nice  sort  er  feller,  but  all  de  time  he  wuz 
s'archin'  roun'  in  his  min'  ter  fin'  some  way  er  ru'rr 
ter  show  his  own  se'f  off  an'  let  Mistah  Mink  know  how 
smart  he  wuz,  'kase  he  wan't  nuver  sassified  lessen  he 
let  people  know  'bout  dat.  Las'  he  say:  'Mistah  Mink, 
dish  yer  mighty  fine  day ;  le's  we-all  teck  a  li'l  walk  to- 
ge'rr.  S'posen  we  sasshay  roun'  by  de  pond.' 

"Mink  he  say  he  jes'  ez  lief  go  dat-a-way,  ef  not 
ru'rr,  'kase  de  pond  seem  mighty  home-lak  ter  him; 
so  dey  walk  on  an'  dey  walk  on  an'  las'  dey  git  ter  de 
pond  an'  dar  wuz  a  nice  big  flock  er  ducks  floatin'  roun' 
in  de  water,  so  still  dat  hit  seem  lak  dey  am'  stirrin'. 
Dey  look  lak  dey'z  so  lazy  dat  'twuz  come-day-go-day 
wid  'em;  you  oon  a-knowed  dey  wuz  scrabblin'  roun' 
fer  der  vittles  'lessen  some  un  to?  you. 

"Hyar'  he  watch  'em  a  w'ile  an'  den  he  say :  'Mistah 
Mink,'  sezee,  'I  don'  wanter  show  too  much  cur'osity, 
suh,  but  jes'  'twix'  fren'  an'  fren'  I  lak  ter  ax  you  how 
you  gits  yo'  livin'  ?  I  see  you  lookin'  right  plump  an' 
peart  fer  a  man  er  yo'  build,  an'  I  lak  ter  know  de  w*ys 
an'  de  wharfo's.' 

137 


AT   THE   BIG  HOUSE 

"  'W'y,  sut'n'y,'  sez  de  Mink,  sezee :  'I  gits  my  livin' 
right  outer  dat  pond  widout  no  trouble  't  all.  Wen  I 
wants  me  sump'n  ter  eat,  I  jes'  whu'l  right  in  an'  git 
me  a  duck/ 

"Hyar'  wuz  sniffin'  away  ter  hisse'f ,  kinder  scawnful, 
but  he  say  ter  Mink,  mighty  p'litely,  he  do :  'You  don' 
sesso !  Well,  Mistah  Mink,  I  lak  ter  know  jes'  how  you  do 
dat.  Please,  suh,  ter  show  me  how  you  ketch  duck;  I 
bin  yearin'  all  my  days  w'at  a  gre't  han'  you  is  at  duck- 
ketchin.' 

"Dat  mek  Mink  feel  kind  er  good,  an'  he  say,  sezee, 
'Well,  den,  jes'  watch  me  clost,  an'  I  reckon  mebbe 
you'll  be  able  ter  do  it  in  de  same  lak  manner.' 

"Mink  he  slipped  inter  de  water  an'  dove  clean  unner 
ter  whar  de  ducks  wuz  a-floatin',  an'  dey  ain'  even  know 
he  wuz  near  'em.  Den  he  ketched  one  uv  'em  by  de 
laig  an'  jes'  natchelly  pulled  her  un'need  de  water  an' 
drug  her  over  ter  whar  Mistah  Hyar'  wuz  waitin'. 

"'Uh-huh,  Mistah  Mink,'  sezee,  've'y  good;  you  has 
did  dat  mighty  slick,  suh ;  but  I  boun'  you  I  kin  do  dat 
same  de  ve'y  fus'  lick  widout  de  practuss  you  bin  havin' 
all  yo'  days.  De  on'ies'  thing  needed  yer  is  ter  be  handy 
an'  quick,  suh;  handy  an'  quick;'  an'  he  twis?  up  de 
cornders  uv  his  mufstarsh  wid  one  han'  an'  look  mighty 
knowin'. 

" ' All  right,  suh,'  sez  Mink,  sezee ;  'sail  in  an'  lemme 
see  how  you  gwine  do  de  deed,'  sezee.  'Mebbe  you  kin 
do  hit  all  right  de  fus'  time/  sezee,  'but  I  don'  b'lieve 
in  none  er  dese  yer  nigh-cuts,  myse'f .  My  spe'yunce  is 
dat  you  hatter  go  roun'  de  long  way  ef  you  wanter  do 
a  thing  well.' 

"Dar  wuz  a  log  layin'  in  de  water  nigh  ter  whar  de 
138 


ME.  HAKE,  ME.  MINK  AND  MIS'  DUCK 


ducks  wuz,  an'  Hyar'  he  mosey  roun'  ter  de  place  an* 
wade  out  inter  de  water  an'  clum  up  on  de  log,  thinkin' 
he'd  stan'  dar  an'  grab  fer  a  duck  dat-a-way.  But  dat 
de  time  his  gun  miss  fire.  He  nab  at  de  neares'  duck, 
but  sho !  he  los'  his  baluns  an'  fell  inter  de  water  ker- 
splash!  an'  come  mighty  nigh  gittin'  drownded.  De 
ducks  dey  yearn  de  noise  an'  hollered  an'  quacked  an* 
flew'd  off  ter  tu'rr  side  de  pond.  One'r  de  young  ducks 
whar  wuz  jes'  out  fer  her  fus'  swim,  she  say  ter  one'r  de 
ol'  uns :  'Quack,  quack,  quack !  Mis'  Duck,  dat  wuz  a  gre't 
splash  we  done  yearn.  Mus'  'a  bin  a  mighty  big  frog 
jumped  inter  de  pond.'  'Umph,'  sez  de  ol'  lady,  'frog! 
I  say  frog!  You  gotter  1'arn  dat  frogs  don'  wear  fur 
er  you'll  nuver  have  no  peace  ner  comfu't  in  dis  pond. 
Dunno  frogs  yit  w'en  you  see  'em,  an'  gotter  mek  yo' 
livin'  f rog-huntin' !  I  lak  dat !' 

"  'Wellum,'  sez  de  young  un,  'dis  my  fus'  trip  ter  de 
pond;  you  kain't  'spec'  me  ter  know  all  you  does,  in  a 
minnit.' 

"Dat  sort  er  please'  de  ol'  un,  so  she  stop  jawin'  an' 
dey  all  went  on  wid  der  f  rog-huntin'. 

"Hyar'  he  clim'  up  de  bank  mo'  daid  dan  alive,  wid 
ev'y  hya'r  stickin'  ter  his  hide  and  de  water  runnin' 
offen  him  lak  rain.  He  wuz  right  aggervex',  'kase  hyar's 
don'  lak  ter  wet  der  footses  none  too  well.  He  gin  his- 
se'f  a  shake  an'  he  sez,  sezee,  'Shucks !  dem  de  triflines' 
ducks  I  uver  see,  frightened  ef  a  man  sheks  his  li'l 
finger  at  'em;  an'  dat  ol'  log  so  slipp'y  you  hatter  have 
claws  ef  you  wanter  hoi'  onter  hit/ 

"'Nemmine,  Mistah  Hyar','  sez  de  Mink,  sezee,  'you 
mus'  try  yo'  luck  ag'in.  You  mustn'  gin  up  on  de  fus' 
try.  I  gwine  swim  roun'  on  tu'rr  side  de  ducks  an' 

139 


'AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


drive  de  hull  cumboodle  back  dis  side,  an'  you  mus' 
stan'  raidy  ter  ketch  one,  fer  I  boun'  you  shell  have 
duck  fer  yo'  dinner/ 

"Co'se  Hyar*  wan't  gwine  let  on  he'z  stumped,  so  he 
say  sort  er  kyar'less :  'Oh  well,  so  be  ef  you  sesso,  'tain' 
gwine  faze  me  ter  ketch  one'r  dem  li'l  no-kyount  ducks ; 
me  dat  bin  hoein'  my  own  row  uver  sence  I  wuz  knee- 
high  to  a  hopper-grass.  I  gwine  nab  her  dis  time,  you 
kin  lemme  'lone  fer  dat.' 

"Mink  he  swimmed  off,  an'  Eabbit  he  go  up  on  de 
bank  an'  git  him  a  long  piece  er  dat  brambly  vine  dey 
calls  de  debil's-shoe-string.  Well,  he  tuck  an'  tuck  de 
piece  er  debil's-shoe-string  an'  crope  down  inter  de 
water  wid  hit  'twel  he  wuz  hidden,  all  but  his  nose  an' 
eyes.  Yer  come  ol'  Mink  drivin'  de  ducks  dat  way. 
One  un  'em  come  sailin'  to'des  Mistah  Hyar'  an'  he  jes' 
natchelly  grabbed  her  by  de  laig  an'  hilt  her  w'ile  he 
tied  her  laig  wid  de  debil's-shoe-string.  She  quacked 
an*  she  hollered  an'  she  napped  an'  she  flew'd,  but  yit 
ol'  Hyar'  hung  onter  de  brier.  'No  use  ter  kick, 
ma'am/  sezee,  "kase  I  done  got  you  dis  time  an'  I 
gwine  hoi'  onter  you.' 

"  'Um-umph !  I  gwine  show  you  huccome,'  sez  Duck, 
sez  she,  an'  she  flew'd  up  an'  she  flew'd  up,  an'  Hyar' 
went  spinnin'  an'  whu'lin'  an'  kickin',  yit  he  am'  let  go. 
Mink  he  wuz  stannin'  down  below  jes'  a-hollerin'  an' 
a-laughin',  clappin'  his  ban's  on  his  knees  an'  doublin' 
hisse'f  up  lak  a  jack-knife.  He  sing  out :  'Hi-yi !  Mis- 
tah Hyar',  you  done  got  up  in  de  worl',  sho'  'nuff.  You 
bin  right  uppish  befo'  now;  I  don'  reckon  you  gwine 
speak  wid  common  folks  atter  dis.' 


140 


Hyar'  Went  Spinnin'  An'  Whu'lin'  An'  Kickin'  Page  140 


ME.  HARE,  MR.  MINK  AND  MJS'  DUCK 

"  'I'll  speak  wid  you  w'en  I  git  back  f 'urn  dis  trip ;  I 
tell  you  dat,  p'in'-blank/  yells  ol'  Hyar',  lettin'  go  wid 
one  han'  long  'nuff  ter  shek  his  fis'  at  Mistah  Mink. 
Mink  he  stood  watchin'  'em  'twel  dey  wan't  nuttin'  but 
a  speck.  Duck  she  flew'd  an'  she  flew'd  an'  she  flew'd, 
an'  Hyar'  hilt  on  'twel  he  thought  his  paws  gwine  drap 
off.  He  argyfy  wid  her  an'  baig  an'  baig  her  please, 
ma'am,  ter  light  an'  let  him  go ;  but  she  jes'  quack  an' 
say :  'Kain't  year  you,  suh ;  kain't  year  you.  You  hatter 
speak  louder,  my  years  ain'  w^at  dey  useter  wuz.' 

"Las'  he  cu'dden  hang  on  no  longer  an'  he  seed  dey 
wuz  right  over  a  ol'  sickymo'  tree,  an'  he  let  go  an* 
drapt  onter  de  tree.  But  de  tree  wuz  holler  an'  he  jes' 
drapt  right  down  eenside  'twel  he  struck  de  groun'.  He 
wuz  plumb  stunded  at  fus',  but  atter  Vile  he  set  up 
an*  look*  roun'.  'Twuz  mighty  dark  in  dar  an'  he 
s'arch  an'  he  s'arch  fer  some  place  ter  git  out,  but 
'twan't  none  dar.  He  lissen  an'  he  lissen  an'  he  feel 
an'  he  feel,  but  dar  he  wuz,  shet  up  tight  wid  nuttin' 
but  a  speck  er  daylight,  'way  up  in  de  tree. 

"Las'  he  yearn  a  man  choppin'  in  de  woods  an'  he  say 
ter  hisse'f  dat  he  mus'  'trac'  de  'tention  er  dat  man  ef 
he  wanter  git  out.  'Hi-yi !  Mistah  Man,'  sezee,  speakin' 
fine  lak  a  ooman,  'come  yer,  Mistah  Man/ 

"Mistah  Man  ain'  year  him  an'  go  on  wid  de  choppin'. 

"  'Man  mus'  be  deaf  ez  a  pos','  sez  Hyar'  ter  hisse'f. 
'I  reckon  I  gotter  yell  loud  'nuff  ter  bus'  my  b'iler  ef 
I  wanter  git  outer  dis/  He  try  hit  ag'in,  but  yit  de  man 
ain'  year.  Den  he  thought  mebbe  de  man  mought  year 
him  ef  he  sung  sump'n,  so  he  struck  up  a  ol'  chune  an* 
dese  wuz  de  wu'ds  whar  he  putt  wid  hit : 


141 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

'Oh  !  ef  I  had  a  needle, 

Ez  fine  ez  I  cu'd  sew, 
I'd  stitch  my  true  love  to  my  side 

An'  down  de  river  I'd  go.' 

He  made  his  voice  jes'  lak  one'r  dese  yer  high,  fine, 
ladiz'  voices  whar  carry  de  soun'  a  long  ways,  an'  las' 
Mistah  Man  year  him  an'  he  say,  'Mussy  me !  w'at  dat  ? 
'Pears  ter  me  I  year  a  ooman  gwine  on  inside  dat  tree.' 

"He  walk  up  an'  lean  his  haid  'gins'  de  tree  ter  lissen. 
Den  Hyar*  he  'gun  ter  holler  an'  cry  jes'  lak  a  ooman. 
He  say:  "Oh,  please,  Mistah  Man,  fer  ter  teck  yo'  ax 
an*  chop  a  hole  in  dis  tree  an'  lemme  out.  You  done  tol' 
de  trufe ;  I  is  a  ooman,  an'  a  pooty  one  inter  de  bargum ; 
an*  ef  you  let  me  out  I  gwine  set  down  'long  side  er  you 
an*  let  you  look  at  me  all  you  wanter/ 

"'All  right/  sez  de  man,  sezee,  grinnin'  ter  hisse'f; 
'kase  all  mens  is  mo'  er  less  uv  fools  w'en  hit  come  ter 
de  marter  uv  a  good-lookin'  gal,  an'  he  chop  an'  he  chop, 
jes'  mo'n  mekin'  de  chips  fly  in  his  has'e  ter  git  a  sight 
er  de  gal.  Hyar'  he  wuz  scrouched  down  in  a  cornder 
outer  de  way  er  de  ax,  an'  soon  ez  de  hole  wuz  big  'nuff 
he  tuck  an'  tuck  a  good  raidy  an'  went  scootin'  out, 
right  'twix'  de  man's  laigs,  inter  de  bresh.  'Hi-yi! 
Mistah  Man,'  he  yell,  *ain'  I  de  fine  shape  uv  a  gal? 
You  kin  have  me  ef  you  kin  ketch  me !'  an'  wid  dat  he 
wuz  off,  singin' : 

'Oh!  ef  I  had  a  needle, 

Ez  fine  ez  I  cu'd  sew, 
I'd  stitch  my  true  love  to  my  side 

An'  down  de  river  I'd  go.' 
142 


MR.  HARE,  MR.  MINK  AND  MIS'  DUCK 

"Hyar'  he  done  got  so  hongry  in  de  tree  dat  he 
'bleeged  ter  gnor  sump'n,  an'  dar  wan't  nuttin'  else,  so 
he  jes'  natchelly  turnt  to  an'  et  his  own  tail  off ;  an'  dat 
huccome  hyar's  bin  gwine  roun'  wid  shawt  tails  ontwel 
dis  day." 

"But,"  objected  Ned,  "I  thought  that  old  Hare  was 
dead.  You  told  us  that  they  killed  him  by  shooting 
him  in  the  paw,  and  that  they  punished  the  chick-a-dee 
for  bad  advice  by  cutting  the  end  of  his  tongue  off,  be- 
cause he  didn't  tell  them  at  first  to  shoot  the  Hare  in  the 
paw." 

Aunt  'Phrony  was  not  too  well  pleased  at  being  called 
to  account  for  resurrecting  her  hero,  but  she  conde- 
scended to  explain :  "W'y,  kain't  you  see  dat  dis  yer  hap- 
pen long  befo'  de  time  w'en  he  got  shooted  in  de  paw? 
Dat's  plain  ez  de  nose  on  yo'  face.  'Kase  I  tell  you  dat 
tale  fus',  hit's  no  sign  dat  hit  happen  fus'.  I'se  gittin' 
so  ol'  an'  rambly  dat  you  hatter  let  me  go  back  on  my 
tracks  now  an'  den,  ef  you  wants  me  ter  go  on  wid  de 
tale-tellin'." 


143 


MIS'  GOOSE  DECEIVES  ME.  BEAR 

The  children,  not  content  with  the  society  of  Aunt 
Nancy  in  the  morning,  when  she  made  their  toilets,  or 
in  the  evening,  when  she  put  them  to  hed,  used  to  make 
her  a  visit  now  and  then  at  her  cabin.  One  morning 
they  found  her  busy  carrying  in  pumpkins  from  the 
little  field  behind  her  house.  Ned  thought  it  would  be 
fun  to  kick  them  along  like  footballs,  but  Nancy  said 
that  pumpkins  were  made  for  eating,  not  for  kicking, 
and  that  unless  the  children  went  about  it  in  the  right 
way  she  did  not  care  about  their  help.  Janey,  with  a 
shrewd  eye  to  business,  said  they  would  all  three  turn 
to  and  help,  if  she  would  promise  to  tell  them  a  story 
when  the  pumpkins  were  all  stored.  The  bargain  was 
clinched,  and  four  pairs  of  hands  made  short  work  of 
the  pumpkins.  Then  they  all  sat  down  in  the  doorway 
of  the  little  cabin,  and  Aunt  Nancy  said  that  the  pump- 
kins had  reminded  her  of  a  tale  in  which  Mr.  Bear  got 
fooled  by  Mis'  Goose. 

"You  chillen  done  yearn  tell,"  she  began,  "dat  gooses 
is  kind  er  foolish,  silly  sort  er  fowels,  an'  I  wanter  tell 
you  right  yer  an'  now  dat  dey  got  heap  mo'  sense  dan 
some  er  de  folks  whar  calls  names  at  'em,  an'  ez  fer  de 
ganders,  I'se  yit  ter  see  de  human  man  teck  de  kyare  uv 
his  wife  an'  fambly  dat  dat  ol'  gander,  yonner,  do  uv 
his'n.  He  he'p  de  goose  ter  buil'  her  nes',  an'  dey  teck 

144 


MIS'    GOOSE   DECEIVES   MR.   BEAR 


some  er  de  down  f  um  der  breastes  an*  line  de  nes',  jes 
ez  wo'm  an'  white  an'  pooty  ez  kin  be,  an'  den  she  set  on 
hit,  an'  he  keeps  gyard  at  de  hen-house  do'  an'  ef  any 
pusson  come  near  he  beat  his  wings  at  'em  an'  do  his  bes' 
ter  drive  'em  'way.  An'  w'en  she  go  off  ter  eat  an'  res' 
husse'f  he  jes'  natchelly  squat  down  on  de  aigs  an'  keep 
'em  wo'm  ontwel  she  git  back.  Mebbe  y'all  has  yearn  de 
gooses  cry  out  in  de  night.  Well,  dat's  w'en  dey  change 
gyard,  fer  dey  sets  a  watch  all  thu  de  night  an'  w'en- 
uver  dey  changes,  de  watchman  gins  out  a  cur'ous  cry 
ter  say  dey's  changin'  gyard  an'  ev'ything  gwine  on 
all  right.  Yas,  suh,  gooses  ain'  de  gooses  folks  bin 
callin'  'em  all  dese  'ears.  An'  I  let  you  know  dat  big 
an'  lumbersome  ez  Mistah  B'ar  wuz,  dar  wuz  a  time 
w'en  Mis'  Goose  got  plumb  de  bes'  uv  'im, 

"She  wuz  gwine  waddlin'  'long  one  day  wid  her  chil- 
len  all  strung  out  in  a  long  line  behime  her.  De  gos- 
lin's  wuz  right  young  an'  she  wuz  teckin'  'em  down  ter 
de  branch  fer  ter  1'arn  'em  ter  swim.  She  wuz  mighty 
proud  uv  'em,  an'  she  wuz  gwine  long  wid  her  haid 
r'ared  up,  shooin'  'em  ev'y  now  an'  den  ter  keep  'em  in 
de  straight  paf ,  an'  cacklin'  so's't  ev'yb'dy  cu'd  year  'er : 
<You  Fluff!  You  Puff!  You  Buff!  You  year  me? 
I  want  y'all  ter  keep  in  de  paf.  Yon's  a  dog ;  you  better 
stick  clost  ter  me  ef  you  know  w'at  good  fer  you !'  So 
Fluff  an'  Puff  an'  Buff  an'  all  de  res'  er  de  chillen 
dey  turnt  der  toes  in  an'  went  waddlin'  'long  in  a 
straight  line  down  ter  de  branch. 

"  'Bout  dat  time  dey  met  up  wid  ol'  man  B'ar.  He 
wuz  stayin'  out  in  de  woods  all  by  his  lonesome,  an' 
w'en  he  see  Mis'  Goose  gwine  'long  wid  all  dat  nice 
fambly  ter  keep  her  comp'ny,  he  git  strucken  wid  de 

145 


• 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

notion  dat  he  want  a  fambly,  too,  ter  teck  roun'  wid  'im 
an'  chur  him  up  an'  drive  'way  de  low-downs.  So  he 
s'lute  Mis'  Goose  mighty  p'litely,  tetchin'  his  paw  ter 
his  hat  an'  sayin',  'Mawnin',  Mis'  Goose;  mawnin', 
ma'am ;  I  hope  I  sees  you  well.' 

"She  gin  a  li'l  hiss  an'  spread  her  wings  an'  done 
lak  she  gwine  run  at  'im,  'kase  she  wan't  'feard  er  no 
pusson,  an'  she  mighty  tetchy  w'en  she  lookin'  atter 
her  chillen.  But  pres'n'y  she  see  dat  de  ol'  man  wanter 
be  fren'ly  wid  her,  so  she  putt  her  wings  down  an'  bob 
her  haid,  an'  she  say,  she  do,  'How  you  come  on  yo'se'f, 
MistahB'ar?' 

"He  'low,  he  do,  dat  he  wuz  kind  er  ailified,  an'  dat 
he  feel  de  need  uv  a  fambly  ter  keep  him  f'um  gittin' 
lonesome.  'Wen  I  seed  you  comin'  down  de  paf  wid 
dat  nice,  big  fambly  er  yo'n,  Mis'  Goose,'  sezee,  'I  ses 
ter  myse'f,  sez  I,  "Dat's  de  kyore  I  bin  needin'  fer  dese 
yer  low  sperrits  er  mine,  dough  I  ain'  bin  knowin'  w'at 
'twuz.  I  gwine  ax  her,  dis  ,ve'y  minnit,  please  ma'am, 
ter  tell  me  how  I  kin  git  me  a  fambly  lak  her'n." '  Mis' 
Goose  she  turnt  her  haid  roun'  on  de  side  an'  cut  one 
eye  up  at  'im,  de  way  gooses  does — 'kase  dey  nuver 
seem  ter  look  at  you  outen  bofe  eyes  at  onct — an'  she 
see  he  mean  w'at  he  say;  so  she  mek  arnser,  she  do, 
'Well,  suh,  I  done  hatch  out  dese  chillen  f'um  de  aigs.' 

"'Is  dasso?'  sezee.  'Wellum,  I  be  might'ly  'bleeged 
ef  you  tell  me  whar  I  kin  git  me  some  aigs.' 

"Eight  dar  Mis'  Goose  wuz  tucken  wid  a  notion  dat 
mek  her  laugh  an'  laugh  on  de  eenside,  so's  she  sca'cely 
cu'd  stan'  on  one  foot  lak  she  bin  doin' ;  she  hatter  putt 
bofe  on  de  groun'  so's't  she  kin  stan'  stiddy.  But  she 
ain'  dyare  laugh  out  loud,  an'  she  nuver  even  smile 

146 


-rtrf- 


"Yer  De  Aigs,  Mistah  R'ar" 


Page  147 


MIS'    GOOSE   DECEIVES   ME.   BEAR 

w'ile  she  tell  him:  'Lawdy!  lawdy!  Mistah  B'ar,  I 
swan  ter  man!  I  knows  de  ve'y  contrapshun  whar 
gwine  suit.  Over  yon'  in  de  fiel'  is  a  hull  nes'ful  er 
aigs  jes'  waitin'  fer  some  un  ter  set  on  'em.  I  wish  I'd 
bin  able  ter  have  unnertooken  dat  job  myse'f,  but  you 
see  my  han's  right  full  a'raidy  wid  dese  yer  twelve  li'l 
chillen  er  mine,  an'  I'se  feelin'  right  po'ly,  too,  f urn 
settin'  so  long  on  de  aigs.  Done  los'  my  flaish,  suh, 
done  los'  my  flaish,  an'  my  appentite  ain'  w'at  'twuz. 
I'se  'bleeged  ter  be  hones'  wid  you,  suh,  an'  let  you 
know  dat  dish  yer  settin's  hard  wu'k,  suh,  dat  hit  is.' 

"B'ar  he  say,  'Bless  yo'  soul,  Mis'  Goose,  I  ain'  look 
ter  git  me  nuttin'  in  dish  yer  suff'rin',  dyin'  worl'  wid- 
out  I  wu'k  fer  hit,  an'  ef  a  delikin  lady  lak  you  kin 
stan'  hit,  I  reckon  I  kin,  big  an'  strong  ez  w'at  I  is.' 

"Mis'  Goose  she  say,  'Well,  come  on  den,  ef  you  sesso,' 
an'  she  tuck  an'  led  de  way  ter  a  fiel'  whar  dar  wuz  a 
pile  er  pun'kins  in  a  fence  cornder,  an'  she  say,  she  do : 
'Yer  de  aigs,  Mistah  B'ar.  Now,  suh,  lemme  see  you 
set  on  'em.  You  gotter  kiver  'em  ev'y  one  wid  yo'  body 
an'  keep  'em  nice  an'  wo'm,  else  dey  ain'  gwine  hatch 
out,  an'  you  have  all  yo'  trouble  fer  nuttin'.' 

"01'  man  B'ar  he  squat  down  on  de  pun'kins  an'  he 
quile  hisse'f  fus'  dis-a-way  an'  den  dat-a-way,  an'  dror 
his  laigs  up  an'  den  putt  'em  down,  an'  den  git  up  an' 
tu'n  clean  roun'  an'  squat  ag'in.  Jes'  w'en  he  think  he'z 
all  fix',  yer  come  a  pun'kin  rollin'  out  fus'  one  side  an' 
den  tu'rr.  Mis'  Goose  she  dyin'  ter  laugh,  but  she  ain' 
dast  ter,  an'  las'  she  whu'l  in  an'  he'p  git  him  fix'.  Den 
she  go  off  down  de  paf  wid  her  fambly,  laughin'  so't 
she  kain't  speak,  w'en  she  met  up  wid  Mis'  Molly  Cotton- 
tail. Mis'  Molly  wait  a  li'l,  an'  den  she  say :  'You  is  a 

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AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


sho'-'nuff  goose,  sho'  nuff !    Wyn't  you  speak  up  lak  you 
had  some  sense  an'  lemme  know  de  joke  ?' 

"Las'  Mis'  Goose  tell  'er,  an'  she  yell  an'  she  holler 
an'  hoi'  onter  her  sides.  She  ain'  stop  ter  say  good-by, 
but  jes'  went'  stavin'  long  de  paf  'twel  she  come  ter  de 
fence  cornder  an'  seed  oF  B'ar.  She  let  on  she  ainj 
know  w'at  he'z  up  to,  an*  she  say,  'Heyo,  Mistah  B'ar, 
w'at  you  doin'  dar,  suh,  layin'  in  de  fence  cornder  dis 
time  er  day  ?' 

"He  say :  'Jes'  res'in'  myse'f,  Mis'  Molly ;  jes'  res'in' 
myse'f.  Done  come  a  fur  ways  an'  I'se  tryin'  ter  ketch 
my  wind  ag'in/ 

"She  say,  sez  she,  TDis  a  mighty  fine  day ;  I  wish  you 
come  f  er  a  walk  wid  me.' 

"He  say  he  too  tired,  an'  den  she  say  she  wait  'twel 
he  git  res'ed.  He  baig  her  not  ter  teck  so  much  trouble, 
an'  she  say  'twan't  no  trouble  't  all,  an'  dey  run  on  lak 
dat,  pow'ful  p'lite,  but  all  de  time  B'ar  he  wuz  pestered 
ter  know  how  he  gwine  git  shed  uv  her,  an'  he  wuz 
'feard  ev'y  minnit  dat  a  pun'kin  wuz  gwine  roll  out 
f'um  beneaf  him. 

"All  de  time  Molly  Cotton-tail  sca'ce  kin  keep  her 
face  straight,  but  las'  she  got  tired  er  de  fuji  an'  putt 
out  fer  home,  tellin'  him  she  be  back  to-morrer  ter  see 
ef  he  wuz  res'ed  up. 

"Sho'  'nuff,  back  she  earned,  an'  she  say,  sez  she, 
'Heyo,  Mistah  B'ar,  I  stopped  'long  ter  tell  you  I  done 
foun'  a  tree  up  de  road  a  mile  er  so,  an'  hit's  dat  chock 
full  er  honey  dat  'twon't  hoi'  nu'rr  drap,  an'  ef  you 
sesso,  I'll  go  right  'long  wid  you  an'  show  you  de  way.' 

"B'ar  he  lick  his  chops  an'  do  lak  he  gwine  git  up. 
Den  he  'member  de  pun'kins  an'  drap  back,  an'  he  say, 

148 


MIS'    GOOSE   DECEIVES   ME.   BEAE 

he  do:  'Thanky  ma'am,  Mis'  Molly,  thanky  ma'am. 
,  I'se  feelin'  too  painyfied  ter  go  wid  you  dis  mawnin', 
call  roun'  ag'in,  ma'am,  an'  I  go  wid  you,  sho',  'kase 
you  knows  I  is  'tickler  fond  uv  honey/ 

"Molly  she  hang  roun',  an'  B'ar  he  try  ter  git  her 
ter  g'long,  but  she  tell  him  she  am'  press'  fer  time,  an' 
dat  her  ol'  man  an'  de  chillens  gwine  keep  'twel  she  git 
home.  Ev'y  day  she  come  back  an'  ax  him  is  he  well 
'nuff  ter  go  atter  de  honey,  an'  ev'y  day  he  say,  he  do, 
'You  mus'  'scuse  me  dis  mawnin',  Mis'  Molly,  you  sho' 
mus';  de  sperrit's  willin'  but  de  flaish  mighty  weak, 
ma'am,  mighty  weak.' 

"Las'  she  say,  sez  she,  'I  b'lieve  you,  suh ;  you  sut'n'y 
has  growed  weak  an'  thin  an'  pindlin';  you  is  nuttin' 
mo'  dan  de  shadder  er  Mistah  B'ar.' 

"B'ar  he  gin  a  groan,  'kase  he  knowed  'twuz  de  trufe. 
He  am'  bin  off  de  nes'  ter  git  him  vittles,  'kase  he  'feard 
de  aigs  mought  git  col',  an'  he  wuz  nigh  'bout  starved. 
He  ain'  dast  ter  move,  neener,  fer  fear  de  aigs  roll  f'um 
un'need.  Hit  'pear  ter  him  he  kain't  stan'  hit  ter  keep 
still  nu'rr  minnit.  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail  knowed  dat 
right  well,  but  she  kep'  on  naggin'  an'  naggin'  at  him 
'twel  he  say  TDrat  de  ooman,  I  wish  I  ain'  nuver  think 
'bout  gittin'  me  a  f ambly.' 

"Las',  one  day,  he  kain't  stan'  hit  no  longer  an'  he 
riz  up  an'  turnt  hisse'f  roun',  but  he  wuz  so  weak  dat 
he  jes'  fell  back  onter  de  pun'kins,  an'  some  uv  'em  roll 
out  f'um  un'need  an'  de  res'  wuz  all  squshed  up,  'kase 
dey'd  'menced  ter  git  sof  by  dat  time.  B'ar  he  groan  an' 
he  moan  an'  he  cry  an'  he  roll  on  de  groun'  an'  dig  bofe 
fistes  in  his  eyes.  'Bout  den  Mis'  Molly  come  'long  an' 
year  de  gwines-on,  an'  she  stop  an'  hang  over  de  fence 

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AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 

'tendin'  lak  she  mighty  saw'y.  She  say,  sez  she,  'Lawsy, 
Mistah  B'ar,  w'at  does  I  see,  suh;  an'  w'at  is  de  'casion 
uv  all  dis  mis'ry  ?' 

"  '0  lawd !  0  lawd !'  sezee,  'my  po'  f ambly ;  my  po' 
fambly !'  an'  wid  dat  he  bus'  out  ter  cryin'  ag'in.  Wen 
he  git  so's't  he  kin  talk,  he  say:  'Mis'  Molly  Cot- 
ton-tail, I  ax  you,  ma'am,  fer  ter  look  at  dem  aigs  whar 
I  bin  settin'  on  all  dis  time,  an'  whar  I  'lowed  I  gwine 
hatch  out  inter  a  nice  li'l  fambly.  You  sees  fer  yo'se'f 
how  mos'  uv  'em  all  sqush'  up,  an'  de  res'  done  roll  'way 
f'um  me  an'  git  stone  col'.  An'  yer  me  all  hongry  an' 
thu'sty  an'  wo'  ter  de  bone,  all  fer  nuttin'.' 

"At  dat  he  cry  mo'  louder  dan  bef  o'.  Den  Mis'  Molly 
am'  try  ter  keep  in  no  longer.  She  lean  up  ag'in  de 
fence  an'  she  yell  an'  she  holler.  'Hey,  lawd!' 
sez  she,  Tie  call  dem  aigs!  dem  big  ol'  rotten  pun'- 
kins  is  aigs!  Well,  live  an'  1'arn,  sez  I!  Yer  me  bin 
'lowin'  all  dese  'ears  dat  dem  things  wuz  pun'kins, 
an'  now  I  fine  dey  is  aigs.  Ef  I'd  a-knowed  w'at  you 
wuz  up  ter  all  dis  time,  suh,  I'd  a-bringed  you  some  er 
dat  honey  whar  I  bin  tellin'  you  'bout,  'kase  you  mus' 
be  mighty  hongry  by  dis  time.  Dish  yer  settin'  bizness 
is  mighty  tryin',  I  year  tell,  so  tryin'  dat  de  mens  mos' 
in  gin'ly  leaves  hit  ter  de  ladiz.  Lemme  know  nex' 
time  you  gwine  hatch  out  a  fambly,  an'  I  try  ter  he'p 
you  out  in  de  marter  er  vittles.  You'se  a  plumb  skil- 
lintin ;  you  sho'  is  !' 

"OF  B'ar  gittin'  kind  er  rile  up  by  dat  time,  an'  do 
lak  he  gwine  teck  atter  her.  She  lit  out  f'um  dat,  but 
she  see  he  wuz  too  weak  ter  foller  her,  so  she  run  back 
fer  a  minnit  an'  stuck  her  haid  thu  de  fence,  an'  sez 
she,  kind  er  rollin'  one  eye  on  de  pun'kins  an'  one  on 

150 


MIS'   GOOSE   DECEIVES   MR.   BEAR 

him :  TTm-umph !  Mistah  B'ar,  dis  sut'n'y  is  a  pity, 
'kase  ef  dem  aigs  had  on'y  hatch  out,  yo*  fambly 
moughter  bin  some  pun'Jcins,  sho'  'nuff.' " 


151 


MR.  BEAR  TENDS  STORE  FOR  MR.  FOX 


"Aunt  Nancy/'  said  Ned,  after  the  story  of  the  bear 
and  the  pumpkins,  "I  wish  you'd  tell  me  what  relation 
Molly  Cotton-tail  was  to  Mr.  Hare." 

"Relation?"  she  asked;  "you  mean  w'at  a-kin  wuz 
she?  No  kin'  't  all,  'scusin'  by  ma'iage;  'kase  she  wuz 
his  wife,  chil';  an'  atter  she  live  wid  him  so  long  time, 
she  got  ez  trickish  ez  w'at  he  wuz,  an'  dat's  sayin'  a 
heap.  She  wuz  a  mighty  smart  ooman,  an'  she  knowed 
how  ter  read  an'  write,  an',  w'at's  mo',  she  cu'd  mum- 
mick  de  writin'  er  mos'  any  pusson  she  wanter,  an'  dat 
come  nigh  gittin'  her  inter  a  hull  passel  er  trouble 
onct,  but  she  wuz  so  slick  she  wiggle  out  jes'  in  time. 
Hit  wuz  lak  dis :  Fox  he  done  tried  his  han'  at  huntin' 
an'  fishin'  an'  farmin'  widout  mekin'  much  uv  a  fist  at 
any  un  'em,  an'  las'  he  set  him  up  a  li'l  sto'  at  de  cross- 
roads; one'r  dese  yer  sto's  whar  de  folks  brings  a  li'l 
haid-turn  er  truck  an'  trades  hit  fer  bacon  an'  meal. 

"One  day  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail,  she  done  runned 
outer  sump'n  ter  eat,  an'  de  chillen  wuz  hongry  an' 
baiggin'  fer  vittles.  She  say  to  husse'f :  'Dese  chillen 
gwine  run  me  'stracted.  I  hatter  stay  home  yer  an' 
lissen  at  all  der  bodderment  w'iles  der  paw  goes  cavawt- 
in'  roun'  de  kyountry  enj'yin'  hisse'f  might'ly.  'Tain' 
fair.  But  nemmine,  I  gotter  feed  dese  chillen,  an'  I 
knows  w'at  I  gwine  do.' 

152 


ME.  BEAK  TENDS  STOKE  FOR  MR.  FOX 

"Wid  dat  she  sot  down  an'  tucken  a  piece  er  paper 
an*  a  ink-bottle  an'  a  quill,  an'  she  stuck  de  quill  behime 
one  year  an'  sot  dar  studyin'  an'  runnin'  her  fingers 
thu  her  hya'r  'twel  she  got  de  marter  all  fix  up  in  her 
min'.  Den  she  tucken  de  quill  an*  writ  a  order  ter 
Mistah  Fox  fer  a  bag  er  meal  an'  a  shoulder  er  meat, 
an'  she  tuck  an'  signed  Mis'  Fox's  name  to  hit,  jes' 
'zackly  de  way  she  done  seed  Mis'  Fox  write  her  name 
one  time.  Den  she  sot  down  in  de  do'  an'  wait  fer  some 
pusson  ter  pass  by.  Fus'  news  you  know,  yer  come  Mis- 
tah B'ar  amblin'  down  de  road.  By  dat  time  he  fergit 
how  Mis'  Molly  done  laugh  at  him  'bout  de  pun'kins, 
an'  w'en  she  mek  her  manners  to  him,  nice  an'  proper, 
he  arnser  mighty  p'litely.  She  ain'  knowin'  how  he 
gwine  treat  'er,  but  w'en  she  see  'twuz  all  right  she 
'mence  muchin'  him,  'kase  she  wuz  a  gre't  han'  ter  flatter 
folks,  an'  w'en  she  git  things  wu'k  up  ter  de  proper 
p'int,  she  say :  *  'Scuse  me,  Mistah  B'ar,  I  is  'sentially 
a  backwu'd  ooman  an'  I  hates  ter  ax  favers,  but  my 
chillen  is  hongry  an'  no  vittles  in  de  house  an'  der  paw 
f'um  home.  I  be  might'ly  'bleeged,  sv.h,  ef  you  leave 
dis  order  fer  me  at  de  cross-roads  sto'  an*  bring  me  de 
vittles  on  yo'  way  back.' 

"B'ar  he  say  'twon't  be  no  trouble,  an*  he  tucken  de 
order  an'  lef  hit  at  de  sto'  an'  den  got  de  bacon  an' 
meal  on  de  way  back  an'  fetched  hit  ter  Mis'  Molly. 
'Twan't  long  'f  o'  'twuz  all  et  up,  an'  'twan't  long,  neener, 
'fo'  Mistah  Fox  fin'  out  de  vittles  wuz  lef  wid  Mis' 
Molly  stidder  wid  his  own  ol'  ooman,  an'  he  'clar'  he 
gwine  git  even  wid  'er  fer  forgin'  his  ol'  ooman's  name. 

"Mis'  Hyar'  she  ain'  knowin'  he  foun'  her  out,  so  one 
day  she  go  inter  de  sto'  ter  trade,  biggitty  ez  you  please, 

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AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 

an*  he  up  an'  ax  'er  fer  ter  keep  sto'  a  minnit  w'iles  he 
step  out.  She  kind  er  smell  a  mouse,  an'  she  tell  him 
she  ain'  got  time  fer  ter  tarry.  Den  he  tucken  her  by 
de  scruff  er  de  neck  an'  tie  her  up  good  an'  tight,  an'  he 
say,  sezee:  TTh-huh!  Forge  my  oP  ooman's  name, 
will  you  ?  Eat  up  my  meal  and  bacon,  hey  ?  Trash  er 
de  worl' !  I  gwine  go  out  an'  git  me  a  cowhide  an'  gin 
you  de  bes'  larrupin'  you  uver  has  had  er  uver  is  gwine 
ter  git/ 

"He  went  out  an'  lef  'er  dar  studyin'  'bout  de  fix 
she  wuz  in,  an'  mos'  pussons  'ud  'a  felt  skeerder  an' 
skeerder  ev'y  minnit,  but,  bless  yo'  soul,  Mis'  Hyar' 
wan't  faze'  by  hit.  She  start  in  ter  hummin'  one'r  dese 
gaily  ol'  darnsin'  chunes  an'  pattin'  wid  her  footses, 
'kase  her  ban's  wuz  tied  behime  her.  Las'  she  bus'  out 
at  de  top  uv  her  voice  inter  de  wu'ds  er  de  song : 

'Sam,  Sam  wuz  a  funny  ol'  man, 
Fried  his  meat  in  a  fry  in'  pan, 
Combed  his  haid  wid  a  wagon-wheel, 
Died  wid  de  toofache  in  his  heel/ 

"'Bout  dis  time  some  un  come  sa'nterin'  down  de 
road  an'  year  de  noise  an'  poke  his  haid  in  de  do.'  Who 
shu'd  dat  be  but  Mistah  B'ar,  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Hey, 
Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail,  w'at  de  meanin'  er  all  dis  racket, 
an'  w'at  you  doin'  all  snarl'  up  in  dat  rope  ?' 

"'Well,'  she  'low,  'I  come  yer  ter  git  some  colamel 
fer  my  sick  chil',  an'  Mistah  Sly-fox  he  up  an'  tell  me 
he  gwine  gin  a  party  at  his  house  to-night,  an'  he  ax 
me  fer  ter  stay  an'  jine  in  de  fun,  an'  I  'low  I  kain't, 
'kase  I  hatter  git  back  ter  my  chil',  an'  he  'low  dat  dey 

154 


ME.  BEAR  TENDS  STOEE  EOE  ME.  FOX 


kain't  git  'long  widout  my  comp'ny  nohows,  an'  dat  he 
b'lieve  Fse  too  stuck  up  ter  'sociate  wid  his  fambly  an' 
jes'  mek  up  dat  tale  'bout  de  sickness  er  my  chil'.  I 
kep'  on  tellin'  him  I  kain't  stay,  an'  las'  I  say  I  go  home 
an'  teck  de  colamel  wid  me  an'  see  how  de  chil'  is,  an' 
come  back.  But  he  'low,  he  did,  dat  a  bu'd  in  de  han' 
wuz  wuf  two  in  de  bush,  so  he  tucken  de  rope  an'  tie  me 
up  dis-a-way  'twel  night.  Den  he  step  out  ter  mek 
some  reddyments  fer  de  party,  an'  he  ax  me  fer  ter  mind 
de  sto'  voiles  he's  gone.  Yer  I  is,  settin'  yer  tryin'  ter 
keep  my  min'  off  my  po'  sick  chil'  by  singin'  an' 
knockin'  time.  You  ain'  nuver  bin  a  mammy,  Mistah 
B'ar,  er  you'd  know  jes'  how  I'm  feelin'  dis  ve'y  minnit,' 
an'  right  dar  she  let  two  big  tears  fall  down  on  de  flo', 
ker-splash ! 

"B'ar  felt  mighty  saw'y  w'en  he  see  dat;  mens  is 
right  easy  tucken  in  by  a  few  li'l  ol'  tears,  an'  he  say 
dat  he  ontie  her,  ef  she  say  de  wu'd,  an'  let  her  go. 
She  say,  'Yas,  suh,  but  Mistah  Fox  he  done  'spec'  me  ter 
see  dat  nuttin'  git  stole  outer  de  sto' ;  w'at  I  gwine  do 
'bout  dat?' 

"B'ar  he  'low  dat  he  ain'  min'  tendin'  sto'  a  li'l,  an' 
she  tell  him,  'Go  ahaid,  den,  an'  ontie  me.'  Den  she  say 
he  better  let  her  tie  him  up  in  de  same  place  so's't  he 
kain't  change  his  min'  'bout  stayin'  fer  de  party.  B'ar 
say  he  wan't  hankerin'  atter  any  gay  doin's,  but  ef  dar 
wuz  any  vittles  ter  be  'stroyed  at  de  party,  he  wuz  de 
man  fer  de  place.  So  he  let  Mis'  Molly  tie  him  up  an* 
den  she  went  clippin'  down  de  road,  stoppin'  at  de  turn 
long  'nuff  ter  sing  out:  '0  Mistah  B'ar!  0  Mistah 
B'ar,  I  hope  you  enj'y  yo'se'f  at  de  party!  Dey  tell 
me  hit  gwine  be  mighty  small  an'  s'lect.  'Tain5  s'prise 

155 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

me  ef  you  hatter  do  mos'  er  de  darnsin'  yo'se'f.'  Wid 
dat  she  went  a-kitin',  an'  den  she  slip  inter  de  bresh  an' 
double  an'  come  back  an'  squat  down  by  de  sto'  ter 
lissen. 

"Pres'n'y  yer  come  Mistah  Fox  lopin'  back  wid  a 
gre't  cowhide  in  his  han',  an'  he  wuz  mo'n  s'prise'  w'en 
he  see  ol'  B'ar  all  squoge  up  an'  tied  fas'  in  de  place 
whar  he  done  lef  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail.  'Laws-a- 
mussy !'  sezee,  Vat  in  de  name  er  de  ring-tail-roarers  is 
de  meanin'  er  dish  yer  piece  er  bizness  ?  Who  done  tie 
you  up  dis-a-way  ?  Dat  Molly  Hyar',  I  be  boun' !' 

"  'De  same/  sez  de  B'ar,  sezee. 

"  'Huccome  dat  ?'  sez  de  Fox,  sezee. 

"  'Well,  suh,'  Mistah  B'ar  say,  'she  tell  me  you  done 
tie  her  up  ter  mek  her  stay  fer  yo'  party  to-night,  an' 
she  say  she  natchelly  pinin'  ter  git  home  ter  her  sick 
young  un,  an'  she  cry  a  li'l  an'  baig  a  li'l,  an'  las'  I  tell 
her  I  jes'  ?z  lief  teck  her  place  an'  tend  de  sto'  an'  go 
ter  de  party.' 

"Fox  he  curl  his  mufstarsh  an'  twis'  de  een'  up  an' 
look  at  ol'  B'ar  outen  de  cornder  uv  his  eye  an'  he  say : 
'Uh-huh,  is  dasso?  You  toF  her  dat,  did  you?  You 
willin'  ter  stay  ter  de  party?  Well,  ef  dat  de  case,  kin 
you  tell  me  w'y  she  hatter  go  ter  wu'k  an'  do  you  up  in 
all  dem  hard  knots  ?' 

"B'ar  he  say:  'D'at's  all  right.  I  turn  her  a-loose, 
an*  den  she  tie  me  up  dis-a-way  'kase  she  laugh  an' 
say  I  mought  change  my  min'  'bout  stayin'  fer  de 
party,  so  she  bes'  mek  sho'  uv  me,  fer  you  so  hard  up 
fer  fren's  'mongs'  de  creeturs  dat  you  hatter  do  dis-a- 
way  ter  git  anyb'dy  ter  come.' 

"Dat  mek  Fox  madder'n  a  hatter,  dough  he  ain'  so 
156 


Mis'  Molly  Let  Two  Big  Tears  Fall  Ker-Splash  Page 


ME.  BEAE  TENDS  STOEE  FOE  ME.  FOX 

mad  but  w'at  he  kin  laugh  an'  holler  an'  slap  his  han' 
on  his  knee.  'Lawd !  lawd  !'  sezee,  'ef  dat  ain'  one  smart 
ooman !  Well,  suh,  de  on'ies  party  I  wuz  gwineter  gin 
wuz  a  hidin'-party,  an'  me  an'  her  an'  dish  yer  cow- 
hide wuz  de  on'ies  folks  eenvited,  an'  now,  suh,  sence 
you  done  let  de  chief  mo'ner  go,  w'y  dish  yer  gwine  be 
yo'  chanct  ter  do  de  cryin'.' 

"Wid  dat  he  whu'l  de  ol'  rawhide  roun'  thu  de  air 
'twel  she  snap  lak  a  snappin'-turkle,  an'  bring  her  down 
on  Mistah  B'ar's  back,  zip !  zip !  zim !  B'ar  he  r'ared 
an'  he  charged  an'  he  tore  an'  he  swore  an'  he  growled 
an'  he  howled,  but  'twan't  no  use,  Mis'  Molly  she  done 
tied  him  up  good  an'  fas'.  Fox  he  done  whup  him  an* 
whup  him  'twel  de  hide  hung  offen  him  in  plumb  rib- 
ands. Fox  kep'  on  'twel  he  got  him  right  much  skunt 
up,  an'  all  de  time  he  wuz  jawin'  him  wid  ev'y  lick.  'I 
gwine  1'arn  you  some  sense,  you  gre't  big  lan'-lubber! 
Gwine  1'arn  you  not  ter  be  tucken  in  by  ev'y  li'l  ol'  ooman 
whar  kin  pump  de  water  outen  her  eyes  in  th'ee  shakes 
uv  a  sheep's  tail !  Gwine  1'arn  you  not  ter  meddle  in  urr 
folkses  mixes.  You  is  de  ve'y  man  whar  corned  yer  an' 
bringed  me  dat  order  f'um  my  ol'  ooman  whar  nuver 
come  f'um  her  't  all,  an'  'twuz  you  toted  off  de  meal  an' 
bacon  ter  ol'  Molly  Cotton-tail.  Ain'  you  know  dat 
ooman  well  'nuff  by  dis  time  ter  know  dat  you  gwine 
git  in  trouble  ef  you  don'  keep  'way  f'um  her?  You 
ol'  'nuff  ter  know  better,  'deed  you  is;  anyhow  I  gwine 
1'arn  you/ 

"OF  B'ar  he  git  ter  cryin',  an'  ev'y  time  de  whip  come 
down  he  let  out  a  big  'Boo-hoo !'  Mis'  Molly  she  wuz 
settin'  outside  lis'nin',  an'  ev'y  time  he  say  'Boo-hoo!' 
she  laugh  'Ho-ho !'  at  de  same  minnit,  so  dey  ain'  year 

157 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

her  't  all.  Wen  Fox  turnt  Mistah  B'ar  a-loose,  she  wuz 
off  outen  dat  in  a  jiffy,  an'  B'ar  ain'  see  her  fer  one  long 
spell.  He  hatter  stay  home  an'  miss  his  hide  for  a  w'ile, 
an'  he  vow  ter  goodness  dat  he  gwine  frail  Molly  good 
nex'  time  he  meet  up  wid  her.  'Mis'able  li'l  fippenny- 
bit,'  sezee,  Tier  ter  git  a  gre't  big  man  lak  me  a  th'ashin' 
f'um  dat  ol'  Slickry  Sly-fox!  I  knock  'em  bofe  inter 
de  middle  er  nex'  week  nex'  time  I  ketch  'em,  dog  me  ef 
I  don'.' 

"Las',  one  day,  Molly  seed  him  comin'  down  de  road, 
an'  she  turnt  off  inter  de  bresh  an'  scooted  thu  a  shawt 
cut  'twel  she  got  way  beyont  him.  Den  she  hop  inter 
de  middle  er  de  road  an'  sing  out,  'Heyo,  Mistah  B'ar, 
how  you  enj'y  yo'se'f  at  Mistah  Fox's  party?  I  done 
yearn  dat  you  sing  mo'  louder  an'  jump  mo'  higher  dan 
any  urr  man  at  de  doin's.  No  pusson  'ud  think  dat  jes' 
ter  look  at  you  gwine  'long  so  sollum  an'  stiddy.  You 
kain't  tell,  dough,  mens  is  mighty  'ceivin' ;  'tain'  safe  fer 
us  po'  wimmins  ter  place  ow'  'pennance  on  yo'  looks.' 
Wid  dat  she  gin  her  behime  laigs  a  flirt  in  de  air  an* 
went  splungin'  inter  de  bresh  ag'in,  lak  01'  Harry  hisse'f 
wuz  atter  her,  w'ich  mebbe  he  wuz,  an'  puttin  her  up  ter 
all  her  mischief." 


158 


MB.  BEAR  AND  MR.  TERRAPIN  GO  COURTING 

"Yas,"  said  Aunt  Nancy,  "one  time  Mistah  B'ar  an' 
MistaL  Tarr'pin  wuz  bofe  co'tin'  de  same  gal.  Dey  kep' 
hit  up  a  long  time,  waitin'  on  her  an'  flyin'  roun'  her, 
but  neener  uv  'em  seem  ter  git  de  inside  track.  Hit 
sut'n'y  wuz  a  sight  ter  see  'em  gwine  on  befo'  her,  cut- 
tin'  up  shines  an'  talkin'  fas'  an'  tryin'  w'ich  kin  'trac' 
de  mos'  'tention  f'um  her.  B'ar  wuz  a  sulky  sort  er  fel- 
ler, an'  hit  look  plumb  reedikelous  ter  see  him  tryin'  ter 
run  on  an'  laugh  an'  mek  hisse'f  'greeable.  Tarr'pin  he 
mighty  slow  'bout  his  talkin',  well  ez  his  walkin',  an' 
hit  wuz  'nuff  ter  mek  a  tiger  titter  ter  see  him  settin'  up 
tryin'  ter  slip  a  wu'd  in  aidgeways  now  an'  den.  Dey'd 
git  dar  on  de  same  night,  an'  try  ter  see  w'ich  kin  set 
tu'rr  one  out,  an'  neener  one  uv  'em  'ud  leave ;  so  'long 
'bout  ten  de  gal's  mammy  'ud  stir  roun'  in  de  nex' 
room  an'  drap  her  shoes  down  hard  on  de  flo',  an'  de  gal 
'ud  be  tucken  wid  a  fit  er  de  gaps,  an'  den  dey  knowed 
hit  wuz  time  ter  git  up  an'  mosey. 

"De  gal's  folks  useter  run  her  right  smart  'bout  her 
beaux  an'  de  way  dey  run  atter  her  an'  come  roun' 
nights  an'  stuck  one  nu'rr  out,  an'  her  mammy  *ud  jes' 
shake  all  over  wid  laughin'  an'  say,  'Gracious  ter  good- 
ness, gal!  how  long  you  gwine  let  dem  fellers  come 
sasshayin'  roun'  you  ?  Whyn't  you  mek  up  yo  min'  one 
way  er  tu'rr?  I  kind  er  tired  seein'  'em  toge'rr;  dey 

159 


AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 


looks  so  cur'ous  'long  side  er  one  nu'rr.  You  sut'n'y 
got  de  long  an'  shawt  uv  hit  wid  yo'  beaux/ 

"Gal  git  kind  er  tired  uv  hit,  too,  but  she  ain'  seem  ter 
be  able  ter  mek  up  her  min'.  Las'  she  say  to  'em,  one 
night  w'en  'twuz  mos'  time  fer  'em  ter  leave  an'  dey  bof e 
wuz  pesterin'  her  ter  'cide  betwix'  'em,  'Gemmen,  you  is 
bofe  so  'greeable  dat  'deed  I  kain't  mek  up  my  min' 
w'ich  ter  teck  an'  w'ich  ter  leave ;  'deed  I  kain't.  So  dis 
w'at  I  gwine  do.  Y'all  kin  start  f  um  de  cross-roads 
nex'  Friday  mawnin'  at  de  same  time,  an'  w'ichuver  one 
gits  yer  by  twelve  o'clock,  dat  de  one  I  ma'y.  But  I 
have  you  bofe  ter  know  dat  you  mus'n'  git  yer  neener 
bef o'  ner  atter ;  you  mus'  be  right  on  de  stroke  er  twelve 
er  you  kain't  be  de  winner.' 

"Dey  bofe  'greed  ter  dis  an'  went  on  home. 

"Wen  Tarr'pin  wake  Friday  mawnin'  he  gin  hisse'f 
a  stretch  an'  open  his  eyes  an'  see  'twuz  jes'  gittin'  day- 
light, an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  'Shucks !  better  not  be  layin' 
yer  no  longer;  bes'  git  up  an'  dus'  ef  I  'spec'  ter  git 
dar  ahaid  er  Mistah  B'ar.  He  ain'  no  swif  trabeller, 
dat's  a  fac',  but  he's  a  mighty  soon  man  'long  side  er 
me,  so  I  bes'  slick  up  a  li'l  an'  g'long.' 

"So  he  stop  long  'nuff  ter  gin  his  shell  a  good  rubbin' 
down  'twel  hit  shined  lak  glass,  an'  den  he  sot  out  fer  de 
gal's  house. 

"Jes'  atter  sun-up  oP  B'ar  wake  up  an'  roll  over  an' 
stretch  an'  rub  his -eyes,  an'  sezee,  fetchin'  a  big  yawn, 
'Dog-my-cats !  ef  I  don'  b'lieve  dish  yer's  de  day  fer  de 
race  'twix'  me  an'  oP  Tarry-long  Tarr'pin.  Umph! 
wish't  I  had  time  fer  nu'rr  li'l  snooze.  OP  Tarr'pin  so 
slow  I  b'lieve  I  gwine  turn  over  an'  try  a  li'l  nap  on  tu'rr 
side.'  Jes'  den  he  ketched  sight  uv  a  track  in  de  road 

160 


ME.  BEAE  AND  ME.  TEEEAPIN  GO  COUETING 


dat  go  pas'  his  house  an'  he  got  up  ter  look  at  hit.  Fus' 
hit  seem  lak  some  un  bin  draggin'  a  plank  'long  thu  de 
dus',  but  w'en  he  'zamine  hit  he  see  de  li'l  foot-tracks 
on  bofe  sides  an'  den  he  knowed  'twuz  whar  Tarr'pin 
bin  draggin'  his  un'need  shell  thu  de  dus'.  'Sho !'  sezee, 
'I  better  spunk  up  an'  git  outer  dis ;  no  tellin'  how  early 
Tarr'pin  started;  he  mought  git  dar  fus'  ef  I  am'  look 
out.' 

"So  he  gin  his  fur  a  good  rakin'  over  an'  putt  on  all 
his  bes'  fixin's  an'  set  out  fer  de  gal's  house. 

"  To'  he  got  ve'y  fur  he  met  up  wid  Tarr'pin  an'  sezee, 
'Heyo,  my  f  ren',  w'at  mek  you  start  so  early  ?  'Tain'  do 
you  no  good  ter  git  dar  befo'  de  time.  Gal  say  you  mus' 
'rive  on  de  stroke  er  twelve,  neener  befo'  ner  atter.' 

"  'Yas,  suh ;  yas,  suh,  I  knows  dat/  sez  Tarr'pin,  sezee, 
'but  you  mus'  'member  w'at  a  slow  trabeller  I  is.  A  big 
man  lak  you,  w'at  teck  gre't  long  steps,  boun'  ter  beat 
me  ef  I  am'  stir  my  stumps  an'  start  early.' 

"  'So  dat's  how  de  Ian'  lays,  is  hit  ?'  sez  B'ar,  sezee. 
'Well,  ol'  man,  keep  on  ef  you  wanter,  but  I'se  'f eerd  you 
have  all  dis  trabblement  fer  nuttin'.  You  mought  ez 
well  set  down  in  de  shade  an'  'j'y  yo'se'f,  'kase  I  boun' 
ter  git  dar  fus';  you  ain'  got  de  ghos'  uv  a  chanct,  an' 
de  gal  knowed  dat  w'en  she  talk  'bout  de  race.  'Twuz 
jes'  her  way  uv  gettin'  shed  er  you  widout  hurtin'  yo' 
feelin's.' 

"  'Mebbe  so,  mebbe  so/  sez  Tarr'pin,  sezee,  'but  ef  you 
don'  min',  suh,  I  jes'  'bout  think  I  gwine  keep  on,  now 
I  got  dis  fur.' 

"Dey  tol'  one  nu'rr  'so-long/  an'  B'ar  he  go  on  an' 
soon  leave  Mistah  Tarr'pin  a  fur  ways  behime.  He  see 
de  sun  ain'  ve'y  high  yit,  an'  he  wuz  right  wo'm  an'  tired, 

161 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

so  he  say  he  b'lieve  he  lay  down  in  de  shade  an'  res'  a 
w'ile.  So  dat  w'at  he  do,  an'  pres'n'y  he  go  fas'  asleep, 
an'  he  slep'  an'  he  slep'  an'  he  snore  an'  he  snore,  an' 
de  flies  come  an'  lit  on  his  nose  an'  tickled  him,  but  he 
jes'  breshed  'em  off  wid  his  behime  foot  an'  went  on 
sleepin'. 

"Atter  w'ile  'long  come  Mistah  Tarr'pin  draggin' 
hisse'f  thu  de  dus'  an'  de  hot  sun.  He  see  Mistah  B'ar 
layin'  off  unner  a  tree,  an'  he  strotch  his  neck  up  outer 
de  shell,  an'  drord  off  de  paf  an'  looked  at  him  good. 
'Uh-huh!'  sezee,  'fas'  asleep,  I  see.  Well,  snooge  on, 
Mistah  B'ar;  dat  suits  me  'zackly,  an'  I  have  you  ter 
know,  suh,  dat  hit's  a  ol'  sayin'  an'  a  true  sayin',  "De 
long  pole  reaches  de  'simmon,  but  de  smart  dog  gits 
hit." ' 

"Wid  dat  Tarry-long  he  went  amblin'  on  an'  lef 
Mistah  B'ar  sleepin'  lak  a  log  an'  snorin'  lak  a  saw-mill. 

"Pres'n'y  B'ar  waked  up  an'  seed  Mistah  Tarr'pin's 
track  ag'in  an'  knowed  he'd  bin  by.  'Gee  whizz !'  sezee, 
'dat  mis'able  li'l  cuss  done  had  de  insurance  ter  pass  me  ? 
2  mus'  git  up  an'  git,  er  no  tellin'  w'at  happen.'  Wid  dat 
he  shuk  hisse'f  an'  got  up  an'  went  'long  right  fas'  'twel 
he  ketched  sight  er  Tarr'pin  ag'in.  Den  he  slacked  up  a 
li'l  an'  putt  on  lots  er  style,  swaggerin'  roun'  over  de 
road  an'  singin'  one'r  dem  ol'  toas'es  ter  de  ladiz : 

'Success  to  de  red-bu'd, 
An'  lakwise  ter  de  wren; 
God  bless  all  de  pooty  ladiz, 
An'  not  so  many  men/ 

"He  let  on  lak  he  ain'  see  Tarr'pin  'twel  he  git  right 
162 


MR.  BEAR  AND  MR.  TERRAPIN  GO  COURTING 

up  'long  side  uv  'im,  an'  he  mek  out  dat  he  wuz  jes' 
'bout  ter  tromp  on  him  by  mistake.  He  dror  back  his 
foot  an'  say,  'Oh,  'scuse  me,  is  dat  you  ?  I  did  n'  know 
you  wuz  dar.  Well,  how  you  come  on,  anyhow?  Slow 
wu'k,  ain'  hit,  suh  ?  You  mought  ez  well  give  up  an'  go 
back,  I  tell  you  dat,  'kase  dar's  no  queschin  who  gwine 
git  de  gal;  she  knowed  dat  f'um  de  fus'.  I  dunno  w'y 
she  set  me  an'  you  at  dish  yer  fool  racin',  but  dar's  no 
use  tryin'  ter  study  out  de  ways  uv  a  gal ;  I  done  gin  dat 
up  long  ago.  You  gotter  let  her  have  her  sesso.' 

"Tarr'pin  he  say,  sezee,  'Well,  Mistah  B'ar,  you  pus- 
sue  atter  yo'  way  an'  I'll  pussue  atter  mine,  an'  mebbe 
you  '11  see  me  at  de  een'  er  de  line  yit.  I  done  come  dis 
fur  'long ;  seem  lak  hit  be  too  bad  ter  gin  up  now.  I'm 
a  right  slow  man,  to  be  sho',  but  I  tell  you,  suh,  I'm  a 
sticker/ 

"B'ar  g'long  an'  git  way  ahaid  er  Mistah  Tarr'pin 
ag'in.  He  wall  his  eye  up  at  de  sun  pres'n'y  an'  he  see 
dat  'twan't  twelve  yit  an'  dat  de  gal's  house  wan't  so  fur 
away,  so  he  mek  up  his  min'  ter  teck  nu'rr  li'l  res'. 
'Shucks !'  sezee  ter  hisse'f,  'dat  li'l  ol'  slow-coach  won't 
be  'long  yer  fer  one  w'ile,  an'  I  mus'  be  kyarful  not  ter 
git  ter  de  place  befo'  twelve,  so  yer  whar  I  gwine  res' 
me  ag'in.'  Wid  dat  he  plumped  hisse'f  down  un'need  a 
tree.  He  fell  fas'  asleep  befo'  long  an'  he  slep'  an'  he 
slep'  'twel  mos'  twelve  o'clock. 

"Atter  w'ile  yer  come  li'l  Tarr'pin,  wo'  mos'  ter  a  fraz- 
zle, but  jes'  paddlin'  on  down  de  paf  widout  even  stop- 
pin'  ter  teck  bref .  He  see  ol'  B'ar  layin'  dar  in  de  shade 
an'  he  strotch  his  neck  out  ag'in  fer  a  good  look,  an' 
sezee  unner  his  bref,  'So  ho,  my  furry  f ren' !  fas'  asleep 
ag'in,  I  sees.  Dar's  whar  you  mek  de  gre't  mistek  er  yo' 

163 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

life.  'Tain'  safe,  suh,  ter  'spise  any  man,  nemmine  how 
po'  an'  no-kyount  he  seem  ter  he ;  mebbe  he  gin  you  a 
s'prise  yit  one'r  dese  days.  I  sez  onct  an'  I  sez  ag'in, 
"De  long  pole  reaches  de  'simmon,  but  de  smart  dog  git 
hit." '  Wid  dat  he  crope  up  nearer  an'  nearer  ter  Mistah 
B'ar  an'  looked  him  good  in  de  face  an'  seed  he  wuz 
fas'  asleep  yit.  Den  he  wu'kked  on  down  ter  one'r 
B'ar's  behime  footses,  an'  squat  down  dar  an'  tuck  de 
een'  uv  a  tuf  er  long  fur  in  his  mouf  an'  sot  dar  waitin'. 

"Pres'n'y  B'ar  he  waked  up  an'  walled  his  eye  up  at 
de  sun  an'  seed  'twuz  mos'  twelve  o'clock.  'Gre't  gum !' 
sezee,  lias  dat  Tarr'pin  pass  me  by  ag'in?'  He  look 
ahaid  fer  Tarr'pin's  track.  None  dar,  so  he  feel  safe. 
'I  mus'  be  humpin'  myse'f  ef  I  wanter  git  dar  on  de 
stroke  er  twelve,'  sezee. 

"Wid  dat  he  got  up  an'  shuk  de  dus'  outer  his  fur,  but 
he  am'  notuss  Tarr'pin,  'kase  de  fur  so  thick  he  kain't 
see  him.  Tarr'pin  wuz  hangin'  on  fer  dear  life;  he 
wan't  gwine  be  shuk  off,  not  him.  Sezee  ter  hisse'f,  'Aw 
naw,  suh,  you  hatter  shake  hard  'nuff  ter  onloose  de  fur 
f 'um  yo'  hide  bef o'  you  kin  shake  me  off ;  my  mouf  built 
fer  hol'in'  on.  Mebbe  I  kain't  wu'k  my  jaws  ez  fas'  ez 
some  folks,  but  w'en  hit  come  ter  clinchin'  'em,  I'm  right 
dar.' 

"B'ar  go  crunchin'  an'  scrunchin'  down  de  road, 
mekin'  gre't  has'e  ter  git  ter  de  gal's  on  de  stroke  er 
twelve,  an'  all  de  time  yer  wuz  Tarr'pin  jes'  gwine  swing- 
in'  on  down  de  road  wid  him,  mouf  clinched  tight  in  de 
fur,  an'  ol'  B'ar  am'  have  de  sign  uv  a  notion  dat  he  wuz 
totin'  Tarr'pin  to'des  de  gal's  house. 

"De  gal  an*  her  mammy  wuz  settin'  on  de  po'ch 
lookin'  out  fer  de  gemmen.  Jes'  befo'  de  stroke  er 

164 


ME.  BEAE  AND  ME.  TEEEAPIN  GO  COUETING 

twelve  de  gal  riz  up  an'  shaded  her  eye  wid  her  han'  an' 
looked  down  de  road.  She  see  Mistah  B'ar  mekin'  gre't 
has'e,  an'  she  sing  out,  'Oh,  maw,  yer  come  Mistah 
B'ar!  Hit  look  lak  he  gwine  win,  'kase  I  ain'  see  no 
sign  er  Mistah  Tarr'pin.' 

"B'ar  he  seed  her  an'  he  'gun  ter  bow  an'  scrape  an' 
teck  off  his  hat,  an'  de  gal  she  'mence  ter  snicker  an' 
giggle  an'  mek  her  manners.  Wen  he  got  ter  de  po'ch  he 
wuz  clean  outer  bref,  so't  all  he  cu'd  say  fer  a  minnit 
wuz  'Howdy,  ma'am,  howdy,  gal !'  Gal  she  say,  'Howdy, 
Mistah  B'ar;  I  sut'n'y  glad  ter  see  you  dis  mawnin'; 
how  you  come  on?  Whar  you  done  lef  Mistah  Tarr'- 
pin?  Tee-hee!  Seem  lak  he  ain'  gwine  set  de  evenin' 
out  wid  you  dis  time.  Tee-hee!'  She  titter  ag'in  an' 
sort  er  hide  behime  her  han'  lak  she  feel  monst'ous 
backwu'ds  now  dat  Mistah  B'ar  'bout  ter  win  de  race. 

"B'ar  he  say,  'Sho !  I  lef  dat  li'l  contrapshun  down 
de  road  so  fur  aways  dat  he  kain't  ketch  up  in  a  mont' 
er  Sundays.  Him  ter  race  wid  me !  I  tol'  him,  ma'am, 
dat  dar  wuz  nuver  any  queschin  who  gwine  beat,  an'  dat 
I  knowed  you  wuz  knowin'  dat  w'en  you  putt  us  ter 
racin'.'  B'ar  he  swelled  roun'  some  mo',  an'  gal  she  snort 
an'  snicker  some  mo',  an'  las',  jes  ez  de  clock  'bout  ter 
strike  twelve  she  git  a  cheer  an'  ax  him  ter  set  down. 

"  'Don'  kyare  ef  I  do,  ma'am,'  sezee,  an'  he  squared 
roun'  wid  his  back  ter  de  cheer  ter  set  down.  Tarr'pin 
he  tuck  dat  'casion  ter  drap  down  inter  de  cheer,  blip ! 
an*  dar  he  sot  lookin'  ez  peart  ez  a  lizzu'd  an'  he  sings 
out,  'Hoi'  up,  dar,  Mistah  B'ar;  don'  you  set  down  on 
me,  suh,  'kase  I  kin  bite  hard,  ef  I  ain'  ve'y  big.' 

"B'ar  he  wuz  mo'n  half  squat  down  an'  he  riz  up  in  a 
hurry  an*  turnt  'roun'  wid  his  eyes  fair'  bulgin'  outen 

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AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

his  haid,  an'  sezee,  'Name  er  common  sense!  how  did 
you  git  yer?' 

"Tarr'pin  say,  sezee,  'Nernmine  how  I  got  yer;  yer  I 
is  an'  yer  I  stay.  I  done  tol'  you  w'en  I  met  up  wid  you 
in  de  road  dat  de  longes'  pole  reaches  de  'simmon,  but 
de  smartes'  dog  gits  hit,  an'  now  I  done  prove  de  truf e  er 
dat  sayin'.' 

"Gal  she  say,  'Mammy,  I  wants  you  jes  fer  ter  look  at 
dat  Mistah  Tarr'pin  settin  up  dar  in  de  cheer  ez  cool 
an'  comf'ble  ez  kin  be,  not  a  speck  er  dus'  on  his  footses, 
an'  not  even  outen  bref.  He  am'  faze'  by  dat  long  walk, 
an'  yer  Mistah  B'ar,  big  an'  strong  ez  he  is,  all  tuckered 
out.  'Clar*  ef  hit  don'  beat  bob-tail !  Shows  dat  you 
kain't  go  nuttin'  on  looks/ 

"  'Dat  you  kain't !'  sez  de  Tarr'pin,  sezee,  'ner  hit  don' 
do  ter  be  sho'  uv  anything  in  dish  yer  mawtul  worl'. 
Mistah  B'ar  mought  'a  beat  me  easy  'nuff,  even  to'des 
de  las',  ef  'twan't  fer  dat  second  nap  he  done  tuck ;  dar's 
whar  he  lose  his  needle.' 

"De  gal  an'  her  mammy  dey  say,  'Now  ain'  dat  de 
trufe !  You  sut'n'y  got  good  horse-sense,  Mistah  Tarr'- 
pin, an'  we  glad  you  done  won  de  race.  I  'spec'  you  lak 
mighty  well  ter  wash  de  dus'  outer  yo'  th'oat  wid  a  glass 
er  cider  atter  dat  long  walk.  Jes'  set  still  an'  git  out 
yo'  pipe  an'  mek  yo'se'f  right  at  home.' 

"Dey  stood  dar  muchin'  him  an'  waitin'  on  him,  an' 
dey  ain'  even  ax  Mistah  B'ar  ter  have  a  cheer,  BO  he  lef 
Tarr'pin  settin'  dar  sippin'  de  cider  an'  went  off  down 
de  road  suckin'  his  thumb  all  de  way  an'  thinkin'  w'at 
a  consumbunkshus  fool  he  done  mek  uv  hisse'f ." 


166 


MOLLY  COTTON-TAIL  STEALS  ME.  FOX'S 
BUTTER 


"Aunt  Nancy,"  said  Janey,  "do  you  know  any  more 
stories  about  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail?  I  think  she's 
'most  as  smart  as  Mr.  Hare,  and  I  like  to  hear  about  her 
'most  as  much." 

"  'Mos'  ez  smart !  'mos'  ez  smart !  well  ef  dat  don'  beat 
all !"  said  Nancy,  throwing  up  her  hands  in  affectation 
of  indignant  surprise.  "Lemme  tell  you  dat  w'en  a 
ooman  start  out  ter  be  trickish  she  kin  beat  a  man  ev'y 
time,  'kase  her  min'  done  wu'k  heap  faster  an'  she  see  all 
roun'  an'  over  an'  un'need  an'  on  bofe  sides  uv  a  thing 
w'ile  he's  tryin'  ter  styare  plumb  thu  hit." 

"Didn't  you  say  she  was  his  wife?"  asked  Ned.  "I 
should  think  they  would  have  called  her  Mrs.  Hare 
always,  instead  of  Molly  Cotton-tail.  Why  do  you  s'pose 
they  didn't?" 

"Law !  honey,"  she  answered,  "don'  come  axin'  me  no 
sech  li'l  fool  queschins  ez  dat.  How  you  reckon  I  gwine 
know  all  de  w'ys  an'  de  wharfo's  uv  all  de  ol'-time 
doin's  ?  I  kain't  spressify  de  reasonment  uv  her  bein'  call 
Molly  Cotton-tail  sometimes,  but  hit  come  'cross  me 
jes'  now  dat  mebbe  de  ma'ied  wimmins  ain'  tucken  der 
husban's  name  in  dem  days  lak  dey  does  now.  Anyhows, 
I  know  she  called  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail,  an'  not  jes' 
wholly  an'  solely  de  wife  er  Mistah  Hyar'.  She  ain'  de 

167 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


If 


sort  er  ooman  ter  settle  down  an'  be  jes'  plain  Mis' 
Hyar'  all  her  days,  an'  stay  home  an'  lissen  at  de  chillen 
cry  an'  wash  der  faces  an'  comb  der  hya'r  an'  cook  der 
vittles,  'ear  in  an'  'ear  out.  Huh-uh !  Mis'  Molly  she 
got  too  much  git  up  in  her  fer  dat.  She  mek  ol'  man 
Hyar'  stay  home  an'  min'  de  chillen  now  an'  den,  an' 
he  am'  dast  ter  say  no,  neener.  Lemme  see,  now,  whar 
wuz  I  at?  Ef  I'se  gwine  tell  you  any  mo'  tales,  you 
mus'n'  come  at  me  dat-a-way  wid  queschins,  lessen  you 
wanster  putt  de  tales  outen  my  haid.  I  jes'  had  my 
mouf  fix'  ter  tell  you  one  w'en  y'all  bruk  in  on  me  'bout 
de  name.  Lessee,  w'at  wuz  dat  tale  'bout,  anyhows  ?" 

"Well,  I  asked  you  for  another  one  about  Mis'  Molly 
Cotton-tail,"  said  Janey ;  "so  may  be  it  was  about  her." 

"Sho'  'nuff,  sho'  'nuff,"  said  Aunt  Nancy.  "  Tarient- 
ly  I'se  gittin'  fibble  in  de  min'  ez  well  ez  in  de  j'ints,  ter 
go  fergittin'  dat-a-way.  Yas,  de  tale  wuz  'bout  one  time 
w'en  Mis'  Molly  an'  Mistah  Fox  go  ter  mek  a  visit  wid 
Mistah  Fox's  brer  whar  live  'cross  de  swamp  an'  down  in 
de  holler.  He  wuz  right  fren'ly  wid  her  'bout  dat  time 
an'  'vite  her  ter  go  wid  him.  She  wuz  all  dress'  up  in  her 
good  clo'es  an'  her  good  manners,  gwine  'long  mekin' 
husse'f  mighty  'greeable,  talkin'  'bout  dis  an'  dat,  cuttin' 
her  eye  up  at  him  real  sweet  an'  stickin'  ez  clost  ez  a 
bur  to  a  cow's  tail." 

"Why,  I  didn't  suppose  they  would  ever  be  good 
friends  again  after  the  tricks  she  played  him,"  said 
Janey. 

"Um !  chil',"  she  answered,  "dis  happen  so  long  atter 
dat  ol'  Fox  plumb  fergit  dey  uver  had  any  fallin's-out. 
You  better  not  pester  me  no  mo'  er  I  mought  fergit  de 
tale,  clean  ez  a  whustle.  Well,  dey  went  on,  him  he'pin' 

168 


MIS'  HARE  STEALS  MR.  FOX'S  BUTTER 

her  over  de  foot-logs,  mighty  mannerly,  an'  runnin'  on 
an'  crackin'  jokes  wid  her,  an'  las'  dey  got  ter  de  house. 
Mistah  Sly-fox's  brer  w'ich  dey  call  him  'Hongry 
Billy,'  'kase  he  wuz  all  time  eatin'  up  folkses  chickens, 
he  'vite  'em  in  an'  tell  'em  fer  ter  mek  derse'fs  at  home 
an'  ax  'em  ter  stay  ez  long  ez  dey  kin.  Mis'  Molly  she 
teck  off  her  hat  an'  shawl  an'  de  ridicule  f'um  her  arm 
an'  lay  'em  on  de  baid.  Den  she  say,  'Mistah  Hongry 
Billy,  I'se  dat  indush'ous  I  kain't  bear  ter  be  idle  even 
w'en  I'se  off  on  a  visit ;  so  please,  suh,  ter  lemme  git  de 
supper,  stidder  settin'  yer  hol'in'  my  han's.' 

"Billy  tell  her  he  ain'  kyare,  so  she  whu'led  in  an'  set 
de  table  an'  drord  de  pine-tag  tea  an'  made  de  ash-cakes, 
an'  Hongry  Billy  he  showed  her  whar  ter  git  de  butter, 
down  at  de  spring.  Wiles  dey  'z  at  supper  'long  come  a 
naber  an'  tol'  'em  dat  ol'  Mistah  Gray-fox  wuz  dyin' 
an'  done  sont  fer  Billy  ter  set  up  wid  him.  So  Billy 
'scuse  hisse'f  an'  ax  'em  fer  ter  teck  kyare  er  de  house 
ontwel  he  come  back  an'  mek  derse'fs  right  at  home. 
Den  he  g'long  off  wid  de  naber. 

"Dat  night,  w'en  Mistah  Fox  git  ter  noddin'  an' 
snoogin'  by  de  fire,  Mis'  Molly  she  slip  out  ter  de  spring 
an'  et  up  de  butter  down  ter  de  ve'y  las'  smidgin,  an' 
den  set  to  an'  licked  de  crock  'twel  'twuz  clean  ez  ef  hit 
bin  scoured.  Den  she  lick  her  mouf  an'  whiskers  clean, 
an'  come  in  an'  sot  down  by  de  fire  ag'in  befo'  Fox  had 
time  ter  wake  up  an'  miss  her.  She  sot  dar  lookin'  ez 
innercent  ez  a  lamb,  gwine  on  wid  her  knittin'  an'  hum- 
min'  a  chune,  jes'  ez  ef  she  ain'  nuver  had  butter  in  her 
min'  ner  in  her  mouf. 

"N"ex'  mawnin'  Hongry  Billy  come  back,  cross  an' 
sleepy  f'um  de  settin'-up,  an  w'en  he  go  down  ter  de 

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AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 

spring  ter  git  de  butter  fer  bre'kfus',  dar  sot  de  crock, 
empty  ez  a  go'de.  I  let  you  know  he  wuz  mad.  He 
come  a-huffin'  an*  a-puffin'  up  ter  de  house,  an'  he  say, 
sezee,  'Dish  yer  a  nice  howdy-do!  Y'all  calls  yo-se'f 
'spectable  folks  an'  comes  yer  an'  squats  down  on  me,  an' 


tt"^ 


den  w'en  I  turn  my  back  you  eats  up  ev'y  rap  an'  scrap 

er  butter  you  kin  fin'  on  de  place.    I  bin  thinkin'  y'all 

wuz  folks  an'  now  I  fin'  you  is  hogs !'    An'  wid  dat  he 

turnt  his  back  on  'em  bofe  an'  went  flouncin'  out  de  do'. 

"Dey  foller  'im  up,  'clarin'  dey  dunno  nuttin'  't  all 

170 


MIS'  HAEE  STEALS  ME.  FOX'S  BUTTER 

'bout  de  butter,  an'  Mis'  Molly  she  do  talkin'  'nuff  fer 
bofe,  she  do.  She  say,  sez  she,  '  'Twan't  me,  suh,  'deed 
'twan't !  I  cross  my  heart !  Wat  I  want  wid  yo'  butter, 
anyways  ?  I  got  me  plenty  butter  at  home ;  I  am'  hatter 
go  ter  de  nabers  for  ev'y  li'l  ol'  snack  er  vittles  I  want. 
Sidesen  dat,  I  got  a  mighty  delikin  stummick,  an'  I 
kain't  eat  no  butter  lessen  I  done  mek  hit  myse'f,  'kase 
I  am'  sho'  de  folks  bin  right  clean  an'  kyarful  in  de 
mekin/ 

"Dat  mek  Hongry  Billy  madder'n  befo',  an'  he  say, 
sezee,  'Well,  mebbe  my  butter  wan't  clean ;  I  dunno  'bout 
dat,  but  I  does  know  'bout  dis:  hit  clean  gone,  an'  w'at's 
mo',  one'r  you  two  is  de  pusson  whar  goned  hit.  I  gwine 
keep  you  bofe  right  yer  'twel  I  fine  out  w'icht  is  de  thief.' 

"Molly  she  study  li'l,  an'  den  she  say,  sez  she,  'Mistah 
Billy,  I'se  ve'y  saw'y  dis  happen,  'deed  I  is.  But  w'ats 
done  kain't  be  ondone,  an'  so  de  on'ies'  thing  now  is  ter 
prove  w'icht  er  we-all  tucken  yo'  butter.  Ef  I  am'  'ceive 
myse'f,  I  knows  de  sho'  an'  sut'n  way  ter  fin'  out  w'icht 
is  de  thief.  Jes'  you  g'long  'bout  yo'  wu'k  an'  let  me 
an'  Mistah  Sly-fox  lay  down  yonner  in  de  sun  all  day, 
an'  w'en  you  comes  back  dis  evenin'  I  boun'  you  kin  tell 
w'icht  uv  us  done  et  de  butter.' 

"  'Huccome  ?'  sez  Hongry  Billy,  sezee. 

"  'Dat  easy  ez  rollin'  off  a  log,'  she  say.  'De  heat  er  de 
sun  gwine  strak  thu  an'  dror  de  grease  out,  so't  w'en 
you  come  back  all  you  hatter  do  be  ter  rub  yo'  fingers 
over  ow'  stummicks  an'  den  you'll  know  in  a  jiff  who 
done  swollered  yo'  butter.' 

"Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox  'gree  ter  dis,  'kase  he  know 
he  ain't  tucken  de  butter,  so  he  wan't  'feard  hit  be  proved 
up  on  him.  Hongry  Billy  he  say  hit  look  mighty  reas'n- 

171 


AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 


able  an'  he  'gree  ter  hit,  too,  an'  went  off  'cross  de  swamp 
ter  tend  ter  his  wu'k,  an'  lef  'em  bofe  dar  layin'  in  de 
sun. 

"Atter  w'ile  she  say,  sez  she,  blinkin'  an'  battin'  her 
eyes  lak  she  kain't  keep  'em  open,  'Um-umph!  Mistah 
Fox,  dat  sun  mek  me  pow'ful  sleepy,  please  'scuse  me, 
suh,  but  I'se  jes'  nachelly  'bleeged  ter  teck  a  li'l  nap.' 
Fox  say  he  b'lieve  he  teck  one  hisse'f ,  an'  he  shet  his  eyes 
an'  putt  his  nose  down  between  bofe  jaws  an'  gin  his  tail 
a  whisp  er  two  ter  drive  'way  de  flies,  an'  pres'n'y  he  wuz 
fas'  asleep. 

"Mis'  Molly  she  watch  him  outer  de  cornder  uv  her 
eye,  an'  w'en  she  see  he  wuz  good  an'  soun'  she  lit  up 
f'um  dat  widout  mekin'  no  noise  an'  struck  out  fer  a 
naber's  spring  an'  got  her  a  han'ful  er  butter.  She  come 
tiptoein'  back  an'  stoop  down  an'  rub  de  butter  all  over 
Mistah  Fox's  stummick,  so  sof'ly  dat  he  ain'  kin  feel  hit, 
an'  den  she  go  an'  lick  her  paws  clean  an'  laid  down  in 
her  place  ag'in  an'  kep'  one  eye  on  him.  'Bout  de  time 
w'en  she  'spec'  Hongry  Billy  home  she  shet  her  eyes  an' 
snore  so  loud  he  year  'er  clean  'cross  de  holler.  W'en 
he  come  up  to  'em  dey  wuz  'pariently  fas'  asleep,  an' 
Billy  he  retcht  down  an'  run  his  han'  over  Mis'  Molly's 
stummick.  Dry  ez  a  bone !  Den  he  try  Mistah  Slickry 
Sly-fox,  an'  he  bringed  up  his  han'  kivered  wid  grease 
an'  smellin'  loud  er  butter. 

"Billy  wuz  in  a  turr'bF  teckin'  an'  mek  sech  a  fuss  dat 
he  wake  Mistah  Fox  an'  fall  ter  excusin'  him  er  teckin' 
de  butter.  01'  Fox  wuz  dat  s'prise'  ter  fin'  his  stummick 
kivered  wid  butter  dat  he  ain'  kin  say  nuttin'  't  all. 
'Bout  den  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail  'gun  ter  stretch  an' 


172 


MIS'  HAEE  STEALS  MR.  FOX'S  BUTTER 

mb  her  eyes  an'  'tend  lak  she  jes'  wake  up.  She  lissen 
at  all  de  gwines-on  a  minnit  an'  den  she  'mence  ter  mek 
gre't  'miration.  *Laws-a-mussy !'  she  say,  'I  am'  b'lieve 
dis  ef  I  am'  see  hit  wid  my  own  eyes.  I  sut'n'y  is  scan- 
nelize'  dat  a  f  ren'  er  mine  tucken  ter  stealin',  mo'  special 
on  a  visit.  I  'clar'  ter  goodness  my  feelin's  is  so  hurted 
dat  I  kain't  rightly  'spress  myse'f,  an'  w'at's  mo',  I  kain't 
stay  yer  'sociatin'  wid  a  common  thief.  I  got  my  young 
fambly  ter  think  'bout.  So  long,  Mistah  Hongry  Billy. 
I  hopes  you  gin  dat  man  a  good  walluppin',  'kase  he 
sut'n'y  'arn  hit,  comin'  yer  puttin'  up  on  you  an'  den 
cleanin'  out  yo'  butter.  Nex'  time  you  git  me  ter  go 
visitin'  wid  you,  Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox,  you  be  heap 
older  an'  smarter  dan  w'at  you  is  dis  minnit.'  Wid  dat 
she  go  scootin',  'kase  she  'feard  ef  she  stay  longer  she 
mought  git  f oun'  out  somehow  er  nu'rr. 

"Hongry  Billy  he  study  li'l  w'ile  an'  den  he  say  ter 
Mistah  Fox,  'Well,  I  gwine  let  you  off  dis  time,  'kase 
you  is  my  kin  an'  I  ain'  wanter  disgrace  you;  I  am' 
wanter  let  folks  know  I  got  a  thief  fer  a  brer.  But 
don'  let  me  ketch  you  in  dese  diggin's  no  mo',  er  I  gwine 
set  ter  wu'k  an'  lam  de  butter  outer  dat  greasy  hide  er 
yo'n ;  you  year  me  talkin' !' 

"Fox  he  'clar'  an'  he  sw'ar  dat  he  wan't  de  thief,  but 
Billy  ain'  pay  no  'tention  to  him.  Den  he  had  half  a 
min'  ter  tell  oF  Hongry  Billy  'bout  all  dem  hen- 
roos'es  he  done  robbed,  but  Billy  so  mad  a'raidy  dat  he 
kind  er  'feared  ter  do  hit,  so  he  go  slinkin'  off  wid  his 
years  down  an'  his  tail  draggin',  an'  dey  tells  me  dar 
wuz  a  gre't  coolness  spring  up  in  dat  fambly  dat  las'  fer 
some  sev'l  'ears,  all  'longer  dat  crock  er  butter.  I  let 


173 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

you  know,  chillen,  hit  am'  teck  much  ter  start  a  f  ambly 
quoi'l,  but  hit  teck  heap  er  time  an'  trouble  ter  patch 
one  up,  jes'  de  same  ez  hit  do  wid  dem  holes  whar  li'l 
Mars'  Ned  snag  in  his  britches,  an'  nuver  seem  de  same 
atter  de  patchin',  neener." 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  DUCK 

One  night  when  Aunt  Nancy  was  putting  the  children 
to  bed,  and  they  were,  as  usual,  begging  for  a  story  to 
go  to  sleep  upon,  she  asked,  "Is  I  uver  tol'  you  anything 
'bout  oF  Mis'  Duck?" 

The  children  said  that  she  had  never  told  them  a 
duck  story,  but  that  Aunt  'Phrony  had. 

"Lawsy!  I  dunno  huccome  I  ter  fergit  ter  tell  you 
'bout  her,"  she  said;  "mebbe  'kase  she  sech  a  li'l  runt 
uv  a  fowl.  But  nemmine  dat,  she  got  plenty  sense,  an* 
one  time  she  fool  Mistah  Fox,  sho'  'miff.  Look  lak  some 
pusson  er  ru'rr  all  time  foolin'  him,  an  I  kain't  'zackly 
see  thu  dat,  'kase  dese  days  he's  mighty  smart  an'  up  ter 
snuff  an'  kin  dodge  de  houn's  an'  de  hunters  de  pooties' 
uver  you  see.  Looks  lak  in  dem  days  things  wuz  sort  er 
lak  dreams,  jes'  de  contrary-ways  f'um  w'at  dey  is  now. 
Anyways,  she  knowed  how  ter  bamboozle  him  somehow 
er  ru'rr. 

"One  time  she  wuz  gwine  waddlin'  down  ter  de  branch, 
talkin'  'way  ter  husse'f,  hard  'z  she  kin,  runnin'  on 
quackin'  an'  scoldin'  'bout  dis  an'  dat.  Mistah  Fox  he 
wuz  nosin'  roun'  thu  de  woods  an'  he  year  her,  an'  he 
say  ter  hisse'f,  he  do,  'Yer's  whar  I  gwine  git  me  a  good 
meal  er  vittles ;  I  reckon  she  jes'  'bout  big  'miff  ter  fill 
me  chock-full,  an'  she  look  right  young,  so  I  'spec'  she's 

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AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

plump  an'  tender/  He  smack  his  lips  an'  go  rackin' 
roun'  ter  de  front  an'  squat  down  behime  a  tree,  an' 
w'en  she  git  mos'  up  ter  him  he  jump  out  an'  nab  her 


by  de  neck  an'  fling  'er  'cross  his  shoulder  an'  g'long 
singin'. 

"All  de  time  he  wuz  singin'  Mis'  Duck  she  wuz  hang- 
in'  haid  down,  jes'  a-kickin'  an'  a-scufflin',  but  'twan't 
no  use ;  Fox  he  hilt  on,  he  did,  an'  he  jes'  let  her  go  on 
jawin'  all  she  wanter.  Las'  she  stop  her  racket  an'  set 

176 


THE    FOX   AND   THE   DUCK 


her  min'  ter  wu'k  on  de  queschin  uv  how  ter  git  outer 
de  pickle  whar  she  wuz  in.  Pres'n'y  she  say,  "Scuse  me, 
please,  suh,  Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox,  I  lak  ter  talk  to 
you  a  li'l  bit,  but  hit's  mighty  hard  wu'k  wid  my  haid 
hangin'  down  so  turr'bl'  slanchindicular.  I  ax  you, 
please  fer  ter  fix  me  wid  my  haid  a  li'l  higher,  suh/ 

" 'Naw,  ma'am'  sez  de  Fox,  sezee,  'I  knows  'nun3  ter 
hoi'  onter  a  good  thing  w'en  I  gits  hit.' 

"  'Laws-a-mussy,  Mistah  Fox/  sez  Duck,  sez  she,  'you 
is  mighty  flattersome  in  yo'  remarks;  I  ain'  gwine  try 
ter  chouse  you  outer  yo'  dinner,  'deed  I  ain'.  But  w'ile 
we  joggin  'long  yer,  I  jes'  lak  ter  ax  you,  suh,  ef  you  lak 
pig  ter  eat  ?' 

"  'Now  you  talkin','  sezee,  an'  he  smack  his  lips  so  loud 
dat  hit  sont  col'  shivers  up  an'  down  Mis'  Duck's  spine, 
an'  he  say,  'Wat  de  marter,  Mis'  Duck ;  w'at  you  shiver 
'bout  dis  wo'm  day  ?' 

"She  wuz  too  proud  ter  let  on  dat  she  wuz  'feard,  so 
she  say,  'Oh,  nuttin'  't  all,  Mistah  Fox,  jes'  a  li'l  tetch 
er  de  ager ;  you  know  w'en  you  got  dat  you  'bleeged  ter 
shiver,  nemmine  how  wo'm  de  day  is.'  Den  she  go  on 
ag'in  'bout  pig.  She  say,  'So  you  sho'  'nuff  does  lak  pig, 
suh.  I  done  year  tell  you  did,  but  I  wan't  sho'  'bout  hit.' 

"Fox  he  got  his  min'  on  pig  an'  seem  lak  he  kain't  git 
hit  off,  an'  las'  he  git  kind  er  mad  'kase  dar  wan't  no  pig 
ter  be  had,  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Look-a-yer,  ooman,  I  dunno 
huccome  you  name  dat  meat  ter  me  w'en  you  knows  I 
kain't  git  me  none.' 

"Mis'  Duck  she  ses,  sez  she,  'Now,  I  ax  you  fer  ter  tell 
me  de  plain  trufe,  suh;  w'icht  does  you  perfer,  pig  er 
duck?' 

"Sezee,  'Gimme  pig  ev'y  time,  'kase  'tain'  got  no 
177 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


fedders.  I  tell  you,  ma'am,  w'en  you  swollers  duck 
down  de  way  I  does,  fedders  an'  all,  yo'  th'oat  gits 
mighty  woolly  sometimes.  I  e'en  about  'spec'  I'll  choke 
ter  def  yit  on  duck  some  er  dese  times/ 

"'Sarve  you  right,  an'  I  hopes  you  will,'  sez  Mis' 
Duck  ter  husse'f.  Den  she  sing  out,  'So  you  perfers 
pig,  suh.  Putt  me  down,  den,  land  knows!  an'  I'll 
show  you  whar  you  kin  git  you  a  hull  litter  er  pigs !' 

"Fox  sezee,  'Wellum,  yer  goes  fer  de  pigs,  an'  min' 
you  walk  straight,  fer  ef  I  fin'  any  foolin'  'bout  dis 
bizness  I  ain'  gwine  gin  you  time  ter  say  yo'  pra'rs. 
You  jes'  mosey  'long  in  front  er  me,  please  ma'am.' 

"She  tuck  an'  tuck  him  to  a  place  whar  a  gus'-root 
wuz  blowed  up  clean  outen  de  groun',  an'  she  p'inted  hit 
out  to  'im  an'  tol'  'im  dat  behime  dar  wuz  de  litter  er 
pigs,  an'  dat  he  mus'  run  f'um  a  piece  off  an'  jump  de 
gus'-root  right  inter  de  baid  er  pigs  an'  s'prise  'em  dat- 
a-way, so's't  he  cu'd  git  'em  easy. 

"OF  Fox  he  'gree  ter  dis,  an'  he  run  back  a  li'l  ways 
an'  tuck  a  big  bref  an'  spit  on  his  han's  an'  th'owed  one 
foot  front  an'  tu'rr  one  behime,  an'  teetered  back  an' 
f  o'th  a  minnit  ter  git  a  good  swing  on  him.  Den  he  bus' 
inter  a  run  an'  lipt  de  gus'-root  widout  techin'  foot  to 
hit  an'  lan'ed  in  de  midse  er  de  litter.  But  bless  good- 
ness, 'twan't  no  litter  er  pigs,  'twuz  ol'  Mis'  Dog  an'  her 
li'l  chillen. 

"  'Ow !  wow !'  sez  she,  'who  dis  owdacious  creetur  dat 
come  a-r'arin'  an'  a-chargin'  inter  my  house,  'sturbin  me 
an'  my  f ambly  ?  Ef  'tain'  dat  good-f er-nuttin'  piece  uv 
imp'ence,  ol'  man  Fox.  I  gwine  show  you  huccome,  dat 
I  is !  I  let  you  know  you  kain't  come  'stroyin'  de  peace 
uv  'spectable  folks  no  sech  a  ways  ez  dat.  Stay  yer  one 

178 


THE   FOX   AND   THE   DUCK 

minnit  longer  an'  I  gwine  putt  my  foot  down  yo' 
th'oat!' 

"Wid  dat  Fox  he  lipt  outer  de  baid  faster  dan  he  got 
in  an'  jes'  went  a-scootin',  Mis'  Dog  atter  him,  hot-foot. 
Mis'  Duck  she  wuz  behime  de  gus'-root  jes'  a-snickerin' 
an'  a-snortin'.  Fox  he  ketched  sight  uv  her  an'  he  sung 
out,  'Nemmine,  Mis'  Duck,  you  is  de  'casion  uv  all  dis 
rumpus.  I  reckon  you  think  dish  yer's  a  mighty  funny 
prank  you  played  me,  but  I  gwine  pay  you  back  fer  dis ; 
jes'  you  wait,  ma'am.  You  gwine  teck  nu'rr  free  ride  on 
my  shoulder  'fo'  you  knows  hit,  an'  dat  time  you  won't 
git  off  so  easy.  You  kin  pin  hit  down  in  yo'  'memb'ance 
dat  I  gwine  pay  you  back  wid  int'res'  on  de  money.' 

"Mis'  Duck  she  knowed  he  dassent  ter  stop  right  den, 
so  she  let  out  one  big  hoot  an'  she  ses,  sez  she,  'So  do, 
Mistah  Fox,  so  do.  Now's  yo'  time,  suh;  de  sooner  de 
better.  Whyn't  you  stop,  suh?  You  ain'  nuver  gwine 
ketch  me  no  younger.  Better  not  wait,  suh;  de  longer 
you  waits  de  older  an'  tougher  I  grows/ 

"But  ol'  man  Fox  knowed  too  much  ter  stop  w'en  Mis' 
Dog  wuz  at  his  heels,  so  he  went  a-sailin'  an'  lef  Mis' 
Duck  stannin'  by  de  puppies  jes'  a-quackin'  an'  a-cack- 
lin'  an'  a-laughin'.  An'  uver  sence  dat  time  dar  ain'  bin 
much  love  los'  'twix  de  foxes  an'  de  ducks.  I  reckon  de 
foxes  has  done  paid  'em  out  mo'n  a  hunderd  times  fer 
dat  trick." 


179 


WHY  THE  GKOUND-HOG  HAS  A  SHOHT  TAH 


One  evening  the  children  went  down  to  Aunt  'Phro- 
ny's  cabin  and  found  her  and  her  grandson,  William, 
hovering  over  a  handful  of  embers,  for  the  nights  were 
growing  a  little  chilly.  The  old  woman  was  singing, 
and  she  rocked  back  and  forth  in  time  to  the  music,  as 
she  led  with  the  words  of  the  hymn,  while  William 
joined  in  the  refrain  of  the  old-time  favorite, 

DOWN  BY  THE  RIVER 

Whar's  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  white, 

Down  Ijy  de  river? 
Mus'  be  de  chillen  er  de  Is' elite, 

Down  by  de  river  side. 

Refrain:    Oh!  we'll  end  dis  war, 

Down  by  the  river; 
We'll  end  dis  war, 

Down  by  de  river  side. 

Whar's  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  red, 

Down  by  de  river? 
Mus'  be  de  chillen  whar  Moses  led, 

Down  by  de  river  side. — Eefrain. 
180 


WHY  THE  GROUND-HOG  HAS  A  SHORT  TAIL 

Whar's  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  green. 

Down  by  de  river? 
Mus'  be  de  chillen  whar  Joshua  seen, 

Down  by  de  river  side. — Refrain. 

Whar's  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  pink, 

Down  by  de  river? 
Mus'  be  de  chillen  whar  teckin'  a  drink, 

Down  by  de  river  side. — Refrain. 

Whar's  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  yaller, 

Down  by  de  river? 
Oil,  dar  whar  de  water  it  run  mighty  shaller, 

Down  by  de  river  side. — Refrain. 

Whar's  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  gray, 

Down  by  de  river? 
Mus'  be  de  chillen  whar  squandered  away, 

Down  by  de  river  side. — Refrain. 

Whar's  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  black, 

Down  by  de  river  ? 
Mus'  be  de  chillen  whar  done  turn  back, 

Down  by  de  river  side. — Refrain. 

Whar's  all  dem  chillen  dress'  in  blue, 

Down  by  de  river? 
Mus'  be  de  chillen  whar  done  come  fhu, 

Down  by  de  river  side. — Refrain. 

The  children  waited  until  the  Israelites  were  safely 
brought  through  before  announcing  themselves,  when 

181 


AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 

they  were  cordially  welcomed  to  the  fireside,  for  Aunt 
'Phrony  was  in  an  unusually  genial  mood,  possibly  in- 
duced by  her  favorite  hymn  and  the  triumphant  passage 
of  the  children  of  Israel. 

"Come  right  in  yer  an'  set  yo'  li'l  se'fs  down  by  de 
fire,"  she  said.  "Snip,  git  yo'  lazy  kyarkiss  often  dat 
cheer  an'  let  Miss  Janey  have  hit.  Min'  w'at  I  say  to 
you,  cat,  er  I  come  dar  an'  cuff  you.  Snap,  teck  yo'se'f 
offen  dat  h'ath  an'  gin  dese  chillen  room  ter  putt  der 
footses  down.  I  nuver  seed  a  dog  dat  cu'd  spread  hisse'f 
over  so  much  ha'th-room  ez  w'at  he  kin.  Well,  chillen, 
I  bin  studyin'  'bout  y'all  dis  ve'y  day.  Wi'yum  he  bin 
huntin'  an'  bringed  home  a  groun'-hog  wid  him  an'  dat 
putt  me  in  min'  uv  a  tale  I  wanter  tell  y'all  'bout,  how 
de  groun'-hog  come  ter  have  such  a  shawt  tail. 

"One  time  he  wuz  gwine  'long  studyin'  'bout  odds 
an'  een's  an'  not  payin  no  'tention  ter  whar  he  wuz  er 
w'at  he  wuz  doin',  an'  fus'  news  he  knowed  he  run  spang 
up  ag'in  a  gang  er  wolfs  an'  dey  nabbed  him  in  a  jiff 
an'  wuz  gwinter  mek  a  meal  offen  him,  den  an'  dar. 
Groun'-hog  he  wuz  right  boddered.  'How  in  de  name  er 
common  sense  did  I  run  my  haid  inter  sech  a  trap  ez 
dis?'  sezee;  'look  lak  I  bin  rootin'  roun'  thu  de  worl' 
'long  'nuff  ter  keep  outen  sech  messes  ez  dis.  Well,  I 
reckon  nob'dy  kin  live  long  'nuff  not  ter  gin  hisse'f  a 
s'prise  now  an'  den.  De  thing  fer  me  is  not  ter  let  on 
befo'  dese  gemmen  dat  I'se  skeered,  an'  mebbe  I'll  pull 
thu  yit  somehow  er  ru'rr.' 

"But  w'en  dey  'menced  rampin'  an'  roarin'  all  roun' 
'im  an'  gnashin'  der  toofs  at  'im  hit  mek  'im  feel  kind 
er  f aintyfied,  an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  he  do,  *Lawd,  lawd ! 
I  wish  I  bin  sassified  ter  stay  home  un'need  de  groun' 

182 


WHY  THE  GKOUND-HOG  HAS  A  SHOET  TAIL 


dis  day !'  He  ain'  let  on,  dough,  an'  pres'n'y  he  mek  out 
ter  say,  'Gemmen — fer  I  kin  see  you  is  sho'-'nuff  gemmen 
by  de  lookin's  uv  you — gemmen,  I  knows  y'all  done  bin 
roun'  a  heap  an'  seed  a  lot,  but  I  boun'  you  dar's  one 
thing  you  ain'  seed  in  all  yo'  bawn  days.' 

"De  wolfs  jes'  howled  an' -laughed  wid  scawn  ter  think 
dar  wuz  anything  lef  dat  dey  ain'  seed.  'Wats  dat?' 
dey  ses ;  'name  dat  to  us,  ef  you  please.  Sump'n  dat  we- 
all  ain'  seed,  much  ez  we  bin  romantin'  up  an'  down  de 
worl' !  We  lak  ter  know  mighty  well  w*at  dat  kin  be.' 

"  'Well,  now  I  tell  you/  sez  de  Groun'-hog,  sezee,  'I 
be  willin'  ter  bet  dese  yer  two  years  offen  my  haid  dat 
wid  all  yo'  goin'  up  an'  down  an'  back  an'  fo'th  an'  to 
an'  fro,  none  er  you  has  uver  seed  a  groun'-hog  darnse ; 
is  you  now?' 

"De  wolfs  dey  hunched  up  der  shoulders  at  one  nu'rr 
an'  dey  ses,  'Shucks !  dish  yer  plumb  reedikelous,  de  idee 
uv  a  groun'-hog  darnsin' ;  who  uver  yearn  er  de  likes  er 
dat?' 

"  'Nemmine/  sez  de  Groun'-hog,  'ef  y'all  doan  b'lieve 
me  I  kin  show  you ;  'twon't  teck  but  a  minnit ;  I'll  bof e 
sing  an'  darnse  fer  you,  an'  I  ain'  gwine  tas'e  any  de 
worse  fer  dat,  I  reckon.  I  boun'  you,  I  kin  gin  y'all 
some  'musement  an'  yit  eat  jes'  ez  good  den  ez  now. 
'Twon't  teck  long,  nohows.' 

"De  wolfs  dey  insulted  toge'rr  an'  'greed  ter  let  him 
try.  'Twon't  mount  ter  shucks,  nohow,'  dey  ses; 
'mought  ez  well  let  him  have  one  li'l  whu'l  bef  o'  we  swal- 
ler  him.' 

"Groun'-hog  he  ses,  'Gemmen,  I  gwine  play  you  f a'r, 
an'  ter  mek  sho'  dat  I  don'  git  'way  f'um  you,  you  kin 
mek  a  succle  er  yo'se'f s  an'  s'roun'  me  on  all  sides/ 

183 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

"So  de  wolfs  dey  do  dat;  dey  mek  a  succle  all  roun' 
him  an'  gin  him  a  big  range,  an'  squatted  dar  on  der 
ha'nches  wid  der  big  red  tongues  lollin'  outer  der  mouf  s 
an'  der  long  toofs  a-showin',  glarin'  at  him  wid  der  oP 
green  eyes.  Groun'-hog  he  'mence  ter  sing  lak  dis : 

'Di-a-di-a-hey,  di-a-di-a-hey, 
Di-a-di-a,  di-a-di-a,  di-a-di-a-hey.' 

"At  de  same  time  he  darnse,  an'  uv  all  de  capers  you 
uver  seed,  dem  tuck  de  lead,  fer  ol'  man  Groun'-hog 
wuz  darnsin'  fer  his  life,  he  wuz.  He  kep'  flippin'  his 
paws  in  time  ter  de  music,  an'  he  wagged  dem  behime 
footses  so  fas'  dat  hit  look  lak  he  jes'  hangin'  in  de  air 
widout  no  laigs  twix'  him  an'  de  groun'.  All  ter  onct 
he'd  spin  clean  roun'  on  one  foot  an'  den  go  on  ag'in,  fas- 
ter dan  bef o'.  De  wolfs  dey  wuz  might'ly  'mused,  an'  dey 
jes'  clapped  der  han's  an'  hollered  an'  mos'  fergit  dey 
wuz  gwine  eat  him,  but  I  boun'  you  Groun'-hog  he  ain' 
fergit  hit. 

"Las'  he  gin  one  gre't  han'-spring  backwu'ds  an'  dis- 
appeart  lak  he  wuz  wipe  offen  de  face  er  de  yearf,  an* 
lef  de  wolfs  settin'  dar  on  der  ha'nches.  Dey  look  be- 
hime an'  dey  look  befo'  an'  dey  look  on  de  groun'  an' 
den  up  in  de  air,  ez  ef  dey  thought  mebbe  he  done  jump 
so  high  he  ain'  come  down  yit ;  but  dey  ain'  see  Mistah 
Groun'-hog. 

"'Now,  whar  you  s'pose  dat  triflin  creetur  gone  to?' 
dey  ses  ter  one  nu'rr.  Las'  one  uv  em'  whar  wuz  settin' 
up  hol'in'  a  piece  uv  a  tail  in  his  han'  he  say,  he  do, 
'Umph !  I  don'  s'pose,  I  knows.  Dat  sut'n'y  is  a  slick 
li'l  creetur.  We-all  ain'  notuss  dat  de  place  he  pick  out 

184 


QO 

s 


a 
o 
O 


WHY  THE  GEOUND-HOG  HAS  A  SHOET  TAIL 


fer  ter  darnse  in  wuz  mighty  nigh  ter  de  hole  whar  he 
live.  He  kep'  a-aidgin'  an'  a-aidgin'  nearer  an'  nearer, 
an'  las'  he  gin  one  spring,  an'  down  he  went.  I  wuz 
de  neares'  uv  any  an'  I -seed  him  goin'.  I  grabbed  him 
by  de  tail,  but  suz !  he  wuz  gwine  so  fas'  dat  nuttin'  cu'd 
stop  him,  an'  de  tail  jes'  natchelly  bruk  off  an'  lef  dish 
yer  piece  in  my  hanV 

"  'Well,  ef  dat  don'  beat  bowser !'  sez  de  'wolfs,  an' 
den  dey  laugh  ter  think  how  dat  li'l  creetur  done  fool 
'em,  ontwel  one  un  'em  clap  his  han'  on  his  stummick 
an'  'low  he  feel  mighty  empty,  an'  den  dey  all  laughed 
on  de  wrong  side  er  der  moufs,  'kase  dey  knowed  dey 
gotter  do  widout  dinner  dat  day. 

"Now  dat's  de  reason  de  groun'-hogs  got  sech  shawt 
tails,  an'  Wi'yum  kin  go  an'  git  dat  one  whar  he  ketched 
an'  show  you  de  trufe  er  w*at  I  bin  tellin'  you.  You 
year  me,  Wi'yum !  Don'  you  set  dar  lookin'  at  me,  suh ! 
You  mosey  'long  out  ter  de  shed  an'  git  dat  groun'-hog 
dis  ve'y  minnit,  lessen  you  wants  me  ter  come  dar  an' 
walk  up  an'  down  yo'  body  a  time  er  two !  Wi'yum  do 
lak  he  wuz  hung  on  henges  an'  de  henges  wuz  all  rusted 
out,  but  I  boun'  you  ef  I  wuz  ter  say  'supper'  ter  Wi'yum, 
he'd  move  right  lively." 


185 


ME.  HAKE,  ME.  WILDCAT  AND  ME.  OTTEE 


When  the  ground-hog  had  been  duly  examined  and 
commented  on  the  children  hinted  that  they  were  ready 
for  another  story.  Aunt  'Phrony  at  first  refused,  saying 
that  it  was  time  they  were  home  tucked  up  in  bed,  ready 
for  the  nightly  visit  of  the  Sand  Man.  When  they  in- 
sisted that  they  were  never  wider  awake  in  their  lives, 
she  said,  "Well,  mebbe  you  isn'  sleepy,  but  mebbe  I  is. 
High  time  I  knocked  de  ashes  outen  dis  pipe  an'  hanged 
my  ol'  bones  up  on  de  baid."  But  finally  she  gave  'in 
to  the  combined  persuasions  of  the  three  and  consented 
to  tell  the  story  of  the  hare,  the  wild-cat  and  the  otter. 

"One  time,"  she  began,  "oF  Hyar*  he  wuz  squanderin' 
roun'  thu  de  woods  wid  a  pipe  stuck  in  his  mouf,  idlin' 
'way  de  time,  w'en  all  ter  onct  Mistah  Wil'cat  jump  out 
f ' um  behime  a  big  tree  an'  yell,  'Boo !'  at  him  an'  fetch 
a  grab  dat  all  but  ketch  him.  Hyar*  wuz  sho'-'nuff 
s'prised  dat  time,  but  he  gin  a  big  jump  ter  one  side 
an'  lan'ed  behime  a  tree  an'  stood  dar  ez  still  ez  a  mouse, 
sca'cely  drorin'  his  bref  in  an'  out,  not  dastin'  even 
ter  peek  so's'ter  see  ef  Wil'cat  wuz  still  dar.  He  got 
mighty  tired  an'  cramp'  up  befo'  long,  an'  sezee  ter  his- 
se'f,  'Mussy  me!  w'at  oon  I  gin  jes'  ter  wall  my  eye 
roun'  dis  tree  an'  see  w'at  dat  mis'able  creetur  doin'.  I 
am'  year  nair'  soun' ;  mebbe  he  gone  on.  Ef  he's  tired 
ez  w'at  I  is,  I  'spec'  he  done  gin  de  marter  up  an' 
moseyed  'long  ter  git  his  vittles  som'ers  else.' 

186 


ME.  HAKE,  ME.  WILDCAT  AND  ME.  OTTEE 


Wid  dat  he  stick  his  nose  out  ter  see  w'at  gwine  on, 
an*  dat  wuz  'nuff  fer  ol'  Wil'cat;  he  jes'  gin  one  mon-' 
st'ous  jump  an'  lan'ed  right  onter  de  Hyar',  an'  den  dar 
wan't  no  sech  thing  ez  gittin'  'way,  I  tell  you.  No  use 
ter  kick  an'  squall;  dem  claws  jes'  curled  derse'fs  right 


inter  him  an'  stuck  dar,  much  ez  ter  say,  TTer  we  is,  suh, 
now  lessee  you  onloose  yo'se'f .' 

"Wil'cat  hoi'  him  up  in  front  uv  him  an'  talk  Vay 
at  him  lak  Hyar'  wuz  de  pris'ner  at  de  bar  an'  he  wuz 
de  jedge  an'  de  jury  an'  de  hull  co'te  th'owed  in,  an' 

187 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

ev'y  now  an'  den  he  gin  him  a  shake  dat  mek  ev'y  toof  in 
his  haid  rattle  lak  de  seed  in  a  dry  go'de.  'Uh-huh !'  he 
say,  sezee,  'I  bin  wantin'  ter  git  my  claws  inter  you  dis 
long  time !  Meddle  in  urr  f olkses  bizness,  will  you  ? 
Go  roun'  an'  hunt  up  mischief  an'  play  tricks  on  yo' 
betters,  will  you  ?  You  got  a  lot  er  gumption,  I  reckon ; 
dey  tells  me  you  has,  anyways;  but  dat  ain'  gwine  do 
a  man  much  good  w'en  his  time  comes;  no  pusson  so 
smart  dat  he  kin  keep  outen  de  sclutches  uv  ol'  man 
Def,  an'  dat's  right  whar  you  is  dis  ve'y  minnit,  I  tells 
you  dat  p'in'-blank,  an'  you'll  know  I  bin  tellin'  you 
de  trufe  w'en  I  'mence  ter  mek  minch-meat  uv  you, 
w'ich  is  gwine  be  did  dis  ve'y  minnit,  ef  not  sooner.' 

"Hyar'  he  feel  kind  er  pa'lyze  w'en  he  year  dat  sort  er 
talk,  but  pres'n'y  he  pick  hisse'f  toge'rr,  an'  sezee,  wid 
a  mighty  pleasin'  smile,  'Mistah  Wil'cat,  dish  yer  yo' 
innin's,  an'  I  reckon  you  gwine  do  w'at  you  please  wid 
me ;  I  am'  gwine  'spute  dat,  but  I  ax  you  dis,  suh,  is  I 
a  fitten  dinner  fer  sech  as  you  ?  Am'  I  lean  ez  a  razor- 
back  hog  ?  Is  I  mo'n  one  good  moufful,  an'  sca'cely  dat  ? 
You  kain't  'ny  dat,  suh.  Now  I  ax  you  ter  'member  de 
time  w'en  I  done  fill  you  up  chock-full  er  tukkey,  wid- 
out  you  havin'  no  mo'  ter  do  dan  lay  still  an'  let  on 
you'se  'sleep  w'iles  I  toll  de  tukkies  up  to  you  wid  singin' 
an'  darnsin'.  I  kin  do  dat  ag'in,  an'  better'n  dat.  Jes' 
name  yo'  game,  an'  I'se  de  man  whar  kin  git  hit  fer  you. 
Don'  be  too  modes',  suh ;  big  game  er  li'l  game,  hit's  all 
de  same  ter  me/ 

"Wil'cat  he  study  for  a  minnit  an'  den  he  say,  'Well, 
I'd  lak  mighty  well  ter  git  me  a  tas'e  er  deer  meat  onct 
mo'.  So  long  sence  I  set  my  toof  s  inter  a  piece  dat  I 
'clar'  I  mos'  fergit  how  hit  do  tas'e.  I  bin  livin'  on  shawt 

188 


MR.  HAEE,  MR.  WILDCAT  AND  MR.  OTTER 


commons  dis  long  time,  an'  Fse  dat  hongry  I'se  nigh 
'stracted.  Ef  you  kin  git  me  some  deer  I  gwine  let  you 
off  dis  time ;  but  min'  you,  Mistah  Hyar',  no  tricks  'bout 
dis  er  I  frail  you  so  hard  you'll  wish  I'd  et  you  up 
'stidder  clawin'  you  inter  grape-vine  strings.  You  know 
me,  suh,  an'  you  knows  I  don'  stan'  no  triflin'.' 

"Dat's  all  right,  suh,  dat's  all  right,'  sez  Hyar', 
sezee,  'jes'  you  come  'long  er  me  an'  I  show  you  dat  I'se 
a  man  er  my  wu'd.  We  gotter  go  down  ter  de  place  whar 
de  deers  come  ter  drink  an'  ter  eat  de  moss,  an'  dar  I 
gwine  show  you  w'at  I  kin  do,  ef  I  is  no  mo'n  a  li'l 
shawt-tail  runt;  fer  dat's  w'at  I  year  some  er  de  folks 
bin  callin'  me.  Step  'long  dis  way,  suh,  ef  you  please.' 

"Dey  went  on  down  ter  de  branch  whar  de  deers  come 
ter  drink,  an'  Hyar'  he  say,  'Now,  Mistah  Wil'cat,  jes' 
you  set  dar  in  de  bushes  an'  hide,  an'  I'll  crope  out  on 
dat  limb  whar  hang  over  de  water,  an'  w'en  de  deer 
comes  I'll  jes'  drap  spang  onter  his  back,  an'  w'en  he 
'mences  ter  r'ar  an'  splunge  an'  mek  fer  de  bank,  den's 
de  time  you  mus'  jump  out  an'  nab  him.'  All  de  time 
he  say  ter  hisse'f,  'Yas,  lawd !  an'  w'en  I  onct  git  onter 
dat  deer's  back  'tain'  gwine  teck  me  long  ter  jump  ter 
tu'rr  bank  an'  git  outer  yo'  way,  suh !' 

"Wil'cat  he  say,  'All  right,  suh,  go  ahaid.  But  min' 
you,  f  a'r  play,  now.  None  er  yo'  tricks  an'  traps  wid  me, 
er  I  gwine  come  a-rattlin'  an'  a-shattlin'  down  dar  an* 
jes'  natchelly  scrape  you  inter  fiddle-strings.' 

"So  Wil'cat  he  squat  down  in  de  bushes  nigh  de  bank 
an'  Hyar'  he  crope  out  on  de  limb,  an'  dey  waited  an' 
dey  waited  'twel  Wil'cat  wuz  fair'  frazzled.  Las',  yer 
come  a  deer  lopin'  down  ter  de  water,  an'  he  waded  right 
in  an'  drunk  his  fill  an'  den  stood  dar  dippin'  his  haid 

189 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

in  clean  up  ter  de  eyes,  lookin'  fer  moss  ter  eat.  Hyar' 
he  'low  ter  hisse'f,  'Um-humph !  yer  whar  I  gwine  roust 
him  outer  dat  in  a  hurry.  Won'  he  wunner  w'ats  got 
him  all  uv  a  suddint  ?' 

"He  tucken  de  time  w'en  de  deer's  haid  wuz  un'need  de 
water  ter  drap  smack  onter  his  back.  Co'se  de  deer 
'menced  ter  ra'r  an'  splunge  an'  Hyar'  he  scrabbled  an' 
sclutched  ter  hoi'  on  long  'nuff  ter  jump  ter  tu'rr  bank, 
but  lawsy !  ol'  man  Deer  jes'  natchelly  shuk  him  off  inter 
de  water  an'  den  jumped  fer  tu'rr  bank  an'  made  off  in- 
ter de  woods. 

"Hyar5  he  ses  ter  his.se'f,  'Now,  did  any  pusson  uver 
see  de  beat  er  dat  onf  ren'ly  Deer ;  'gredge  me  a  li'l  foot- 
hoi'  on  his  back !  Ef  I  wuz  ez  big  ez  w'at  he  is  I  sut'n'y 
oon  be  ez  mean  an'  stingy  wid  my  back  ez  dat.' 

"He  'gun  ter  sink  'bout  den,  an'  he  see  dar  wan't 
nuttin'  "fer  hit  but  ter  git  drownded,  so  he  sing  out  ter 
de  Wil'cat  fer  he'p,  but  shucks!  no  cat  's  gwine  git 
hits  paws  wet  ef  hit  kin  he'p,  so  he  jes'  turnt  his  back 
an'  went  off  spittin'  an'  snarlin,  'kase  he  done  los'  his 
dinner. 

"  'Bout  den  'long  come  a  Otter  down  ter  de  bank,  an' 
Hyar'  he  call  out  fer  he'p.  He  say,  sezee,  'Oh,  Mistah 
Otter,  he'p  me  outer  dish  yer  pickle  an'  I  gin  you  any- 
thing you  wants ;  'deed  I  will !' 

"  'Wat  you  gimme  ?'  sez  de  Otter,  sezee. 

"'Sho'!'  sez  ol'  Hyar',  spittin'  and  sputterin'  an' 
chokin',  Tias  I  gotter  drown  w'ile  I  mek  promusses? 
Git  me  outen  dis  an'  den  I  mek  any  promuss  you  ax  me 
to.  Ef  you  gwine  he'p  me,  man,  he'p  me  dis  ve'y  minnit 
er  hit  be  too  late  in  de  day,  an'  my  def  gwine  be  on  yo' 
haid.' 

190 


MR.  HARE,  MR.  WILDCAT  AND  MR.  OTTER 

"So  Otter  he  swim  in,  'kase  he  wuz  a  fus'-class  swim- 
mer, he  wuz,  an'  fished  ol'  man  Hyar'  out  an'  set  him 
on  de  bank  at  de  aidge  er  de  water.  Dar  he  sot  all  weak 
an'  trim'lin',  no  bigger  'n  a  han'ful,  but  he  wan't  so  fur 
gone  but  w'at  dar  wuz  plenty  er  'havishness  lef  in  him 
yit,  an'  he  say  ter  Otter,  sezee,  'Please,  suh,  ter  lemme 
run  up  de  bank  an'  shake  myse'f,  so's'ter  git  some  er  de 
water  outen  my  fur ;  'pears  lak  I  done  soaked  up  de  hull 
branch  an'  bringed  hit  out  wid  me.' 

"  'W'y  sut'n'y,'  sez  de  Otter,  sezee,  'I  knows  you  is  a 
Ian'  man ;  an'  co'se  you  ain'  useter  bein'  in  de  water,  co'se 
you  don'  fin'  hit  'greeable.  Jes'  g'long  an'  shake  hit 
outen  you,  an'  I'll  wait  f er  you  yer  on  de  bank/ 

"Wid  dat  Hyar*  went  kitin'  up  de  bank  an'  gin  his- 
se'f  a  good  shake  an'  den  lipt  inter  de  bushes  an'  wuz  off 
lak  a  house  afire.  'Wait  fer  me  on  de  bank,  suh!'  he 
sung  out,  an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  'Yas,  suh,  I  'spec'  you 
wait  fer  me  on  dat  bank  one  w'ile  'fo'  you  see  me  ag'in.' 

"  'Urnph !'  sez  Otter  ter  hisse'f,  'umph !  promuss  me 
anything  I  want  an'  den  not  so  much  ez  stop  ter  mek 
his  manners !  'Pears  lak  'twan't  even  a  thanky  job,'  an' 
wid  dat  he  went  on  'bout  his  wu'k  in  de  branch,  'kase  he 
wuz  mighty  busy  ketchin'  fish  fer  his  f ambly,  fer  he  wuz 
a  gre't  fisherman  an'  a  pow'ful  swif  swimmer  an'  cu'd 
jes'  run  a  fish  down  in  no  time  't  all.  He  ketched  him 
two  fish  at  onct  an'  tuck  'em  in  his  mouf  an'  went  inter 
his  house,  w'ich  'twuz  a  deep  hole  in  de  bank.  But  dough 
he  kep'  on  'bout  his  bizness,  he  ain'  fergit  dat  trick  uv 
ol'  Hyar's,  an'  no  mo'  did  Mistah  Wil'cat,  an'  w'en  dey 
tell  tu'rr  creeturs  'bout  him  dey  all  git  mo'  riled  up 
'gins'  him  dan  befo',  an'  dey  ses,  'Now  ain'  dat  de  wus' 
trick  yit  ?  Done  fool  two  'spectable  gemmen  lak  Mistah 

191 


AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 

WiPcat  an'  Mistah  Otter  at  one  an'  de  same  time. 
Done  prove  hisse'f  one  time  mo'  ez  slipp'y  an'  onreliable 
ez  a  eel ;  mo'  chanct  er  missin'  him  dan  er  gittin'  him. 
Nemmine,  ef  we  jes'  wait  long  'nuff  de  time  boun'  ter 
roll  roun'  w'en  we  gwine  git  de  Tinner-holt,  an'  den  we'll 
jes'  natchelly  wipe  up  de  yearf  wid  him  befo'  we  wipes 
him  clean  offen  de  face  er  creashun.' 

"An'  now,"  concluded  Aunt  'Phrony,  "y'all  chillen 
neenter  pester  me  no  mo'  dis  night,  'kase  my  ol'  breens 
is  so  wo'  out  wid  all  dish  yer  tryin'  ter  'member,  dat  ef 
you  wuz  ter  crowd  me  any  mo'  right  now  dey  mought 
crack  an'  let  all  de  tales  run  out.  Wi'yum,  quit  layin' 
yo'se'f  all  over  dat  flo',  same  ez  a  spraddle-bug,  an'  go 
an'  git  de  lantu'n  an'  light  dese  chillen  up  ter  de  house. 
You  year  me,  suh !" 


192 


MR.  HARE  AND  MR.   ELEPHANT 

One  day  Aunt  Nancy  was  making  little  Kit's  toilet, 
trying  her  best  to  wash  his  neck  and  ears  while  he  fidget- 
ed and  dodged  and  stood  first  on  one  foot  and  then  on 
the  other,  and  declared,  after  the  manner  of  small  boys, 
that  he  was  not  dirty,  and  if  he  was,  he  preferred  being 
so. 

"Well,  ef  uver  I  'spected  ter  year  a  chiT  er  my  young 
Miss'  talkin'  dat  scannelous  I"  she  exclaimed.  "Any- 
b'dy  mought  think  'twuz  one'r  dem  Thompson  chillen, 
on'y  I  nuver  knowed  'em  ter  talk  so  much  lak  po'  white- 
trash.  Who  uver  year  er  de  qual'ty  gwine  roun'  wid 
dirty  years  ?  Hit  'min's  me  er  de  time  w'en  Mistah  Ef  a- 
lent  oon  wash  his  years.  Sho!  you  kin  stan'  still  ter 
lissen  at  tales,  kin  you?  Well,  now,  you  jes'  hoi'  right 
still,  lak  a  good  li'l  boy,  an'  lemme  git  inside  dis  urr  year, 
an'  I  tell  you  de  tale  w'iles  I  go  'long." 

Here  she  commenced  a  not  too  gentle  attack  upon  the 
other  ear,  holding  him  firmly  by  the  burning  member 
already  cleansed,  as  she  told  the  story  of  the  careless  Mr. 
Elephant,  while  Janey  and  Ned  listened  with  a  less 
chastened  enjoyment  than  that  of  the  little  boy  who  was 
having  his  ears  scrubbed. 

"One  time,"  she  said,  "dar  wuz  gwine  be  a  big  meetin' 
'mongs'  de  creeturs,  an'  Mistah  Efalent  he  so  anxious 
ter  git  dar  on  time  dat  he  plumb  f  ergit  ter  wash  his  years. 

193 


AT    THE   BIG   HOUSE 

Mis'  Efalent  she  wuz  a  mighty  p'tickler  ol'  lady,  an* 
she  call  out  atter  him  an'  tell  him  'bout  hit.  She  say : 
'Gracious  ter  goodness!  Mistah  Efalent,  'tain'  poss'ble 
you  gwine  'mongs'  all  dem  pryin',  peerin'  creeturs  wid 
dem  dirty  years  ?  Fer  de  sake  er  yo'  f  ambly,  come  back 
yer  an'  fix  yo'se'f  nice  an'  proper.'  Efalent  he  let  on 
he  ain'  year  her,  jes'  lak  mens  does  sometimes  w'en  der 
wifes  is  talkin'  at  'em,  an'  'twan't  mo'n  th'ee  winks  bef o' 
he  wuz  outer  sight  an'  yearin'. 

"Bout  dat  same  time  Hyar'  he  wuz  primpin'  hisse'f 
up  fer  de  meetin',  'kase  he  wuz  mighty  kyareful  'bout 
fixin'  hisse'f  up  nice  an'  clean.  He  washed  his  face  wid 
his  paw  an'  licked  his  fur  down  an'  den  got  oF  Mis' 
Molly  Hyar'  ter  wash  his  years  husse'f,  an*  all  roun' 
behime  'em,  so's't  de  folks  whar  set  behime  him  in  de 
meetin'  kain't  excuse  him  er  not  bein'  neat.  Den  he  had 
some  notion  er  lettin'  on  dat  he  wuz  single  an'  flyin' 
roun'  'mongs'  de  gals  a  li'l,  so  co'se  he  wanter  look 
mighty  spruce.  Las'  he  start  'off  an'  git  down  ter  de 
river  'bout  de  time  Mistah  Efalent  git  dar. 

"He  bin  wunnerin'  ter  hisse'f  how  in  de  name  er 
goodness  he  gwine  git  over  de  river,  an'  w'en  he  see  de 
Efalent  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  he  do :  'I  sut'n'y  is  de  gre'tes' 
man  fer  luck  dat  uver  hopped  on  fo'  laigs.  Dish  yer 
whar  I  gwine  git  'cross  widout  even  so  much  ez  gittin' 
a  paw  wet.'  Wid  dat  he  walked  up  ter  de  Efalent  an' 
'menced  muchin'  him.  'Howdy,  Mistah  Efalent,'  sezee, 
*I  hope  I  fin's  you  well  an'  in  de  enj'yment  er  good 
healt'.  You  so  gre't  an'  gran',  suh,  dat  I  reckon  w'en 
you  does  git  a  mis'ry  hit  boun'  ter  be  a  pow'ful  big  one.' 

"'Wat's  dis  a-talkin'  at  me?'  sez  de  Efalent,  sezee, 
an'  he  look  all  roun'  fur  an'  near  an'  las'  he  seed 

194 


ME.    HAKE    AND    ME.    ELEPHANT 


Hyar'  settin'  down  mos'  unner  his  front  footses  an'  cut- 
tin'  one  eye  up  at  him,  sassy  ez  you  please.  'Fo'  gra- 
cious!' sezee,  'look  out  dar!  li'l  mo'n  I'd  a-tromped  on 
you,  sho' !  Who  is  you,  anyhows  ?' 

"Den  Hyar'  he  'mence  ter  'splain  hisse'f  an'  tell  whar 
he  wuz  gwine  an'  baig  Mistah  Efalent  ter  tote  him 
'cross  de  river.  Hit  sut'n'y  wuz  a  sight  ter  mek  you 
laugh,  dey  tells  me,  ter  see  dat  li'l  feller  settin'  up  dar 
on  his  ha'nches,  haid  th'owed  back  so't  he  cu'd  look 
Efalent  in  de  eye,  an'  tongue  goin'  same'z  a  mill-clap- 
per. 01'  Efalent  stood  dar  squintin'  down  at  him  an' 
lis'nin'  at  him,  w'ile  bofe  gre't  big  years  went  flippitty- 
flap,  flippitty-flap,  an'  his  trunk  wuz  jes'  a-wavin'  an' 
a-weavin'  an'  a-curlin'  roun'  thu  de  air. 

"Las'  Hyar'  he  stop  'long  'nuff  ter  git  bref,  an* 
Efalent  he  say,  sezee,  'Shucks !  man,  I  kain't  stop  to  tote 
you  over  de  river ;  I  must  be  at  de  meetin'  on  time.' 

"  'Lawsy !'  Hyar*  'low,  "tain'  gwine  teck  you  long  ter 
tote  a  li'l  feller  lak  me.' 

"Dat  mek  Mistah  Efalent  laugh  an'  he  say,  sezee, 
'How  sech  a  li'l  feller  ez  you  gwine  stick  on  my  back  ?' 

"  'Oh,  nemmine,'  sezee ;  'I  tell  you  de  way  we  kin  fix 
hit.  Jes'  you  teck  an'  putt  me  inside  er  one'r  yo'  years 
an'  let  de  flap  down  over  me  ter  keep  me  in,  an'  I  boun' 
you,  I  go  over  safe  an'  soun'.' 

"'All  right,'  sez  de  Efalent,  sezee,  an'  he  tuck  an' 
tuck  his  trunk  an'  wrop  hit  roun'  Hyar'  an'  gin  him  a 
whu'l  thu  de  air  dat  tucken  his  bref  clean  'way,  an'  he 
lan'ed  him  in  de  year  an'  shet  de  flap  down  on  him. 
Den  he  splunge  inter  de  river  an'  'mence  ter  cross  over. 

"Co'se  Hyar'  ain'  bin  in  de  year  long  'twel  he  'gun 
ter  study  w'at  mischief  ter  git  inter.  He  'mence  ter 

195 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

fidget  roun'  an'  wu'k  his  nose  hard  an'  sniff  lak  he 
smell  sump'n  pow'ful  bad. 

"  'Wa't's  de  marter  wid  you  ?'  sez  de  Ef  alent,  sezee. 

"Hyar'  he  'spon',  <0h,  nuttin'  't  all,  Mistah  Ef  alent; 
don'  you  min'  me,  suh ;  jes'  go  right  'long/ 

"Pres'n'y  he  go  at  hit  ag'in,  jes'  sniffin'  an'  kyar'yin' 
on.  'Um-m-m-umph  !  umph !  umph ! !  umph ! ! !'  sezee, 
hoPin'  his  nose  lak  he  kain't  stan'  ter  keep  hit  open. 

"  'Gre't  king !'  sez  de  Ef  alent,  Vat  is  de  marter  wid 
de  li'l  cuss,  anyhows  ?' 

"  'Don'  pay  no  'tention  ter  me,  suh/  Hyar'  say.  'I 
has  de  as'my  an'  dat  mek  me  breave  hard ;  soun'  mighty 
loud,  'kase  Fse  right  inside  yo'  year.' 

"Well,  suh,  he  kep'  hit  up  dat-a-way  on  de  trip  over, 
an'  w'en  dey  git  ter  tu'rr  side  he  watch  his  chanct  w'en 
Mistah  Efalent  flip  his  year  up  an'  den  he  jes'  lit  down 
same'z  he  bin  made  er  injy-rubber  an'  tuck  up  de  bank 
an'  inter  de  bresh  'fo'  Efalent  miss  him  outen  de  year. 
He  curl  his  trunk  roun'  an'  feel  fer  him,  but  he  kain't 
fin'  him.  Den  he  think  mebbe  he  done  fergot  w'ich 
year  he  putt  him  in,  an'  so  he  feel  in  tu'rr  one.  Naw, 
suh,  he  wan't  in  tu'rr  one,  neener.  'Well,  ef  dis  don' 
beat  my  time!'  sezee;  'I  sut'n'y  putt  dat  owdacious 
creetur  in  my  year.  'Tain'  poss'bl'  dat  I  cu'd  go  an* 
dream  sech  ez  dat,'  an'  he  stan'  dar  jes'  a-huffin'  an' 
a-puffin'. 

"Hyar'  he  bin  watchin'  him  an'  he  tuck  de  'casion 
ter  stick  his  haid  outer  de  bresh  an'  say:  'To  be  sho' 
you  wan't  dreamin',  Mistah  Efalent ;  I  wuz  in  yo'  year, 
sho'  'nuff,  an'  a  mighty  bad  time  I  have  uv  hit  in  dar. 
You  axed  me,  suh,  w'at  wuz  de  marter,  an'  now  I  gwine 
tell  you,  dough  I'se  saw'y  ef  I  seem  onmannerly  atter 

196 


"  'Tain'  Poss'bl'  Dat  I  Cu'd  Go  An'  Dream"          Page  196 


ME.    HAEE    AND    ME.    ELEPHANT 

you  teckin'  me  'cross ;  but  I'se  'bleeged  ter  say,  suh,  dat 
you  done  fergot  ter  wash  yo'  years  dis  mawnin',  dat 
you  has,  an'  I  'clar'  ter  goodness  hit  mek  me  feel  plumb 
faintyfied  in  dar  w'en  you  shet  dat  flap  down  on  me; 
'deed  hit  did.  Nex'  time  you  teck  anyb'dy  in  yo'  year, 
better  see  dat  hit's  clean.  So-long,  suh;  so-long.'  An* 
wid  dat  he  shuk  one'r  his  behime  footses  at  de  Efalent 
f'um  roun'  de  cornder  uv  a  tree  an'  wuz  off  in  a  jiff, 
leavin'  dat  gre't  big  creetur  stannin'  dar  jes'  a-trim'lin' 
an'  a-stompin'  an'  a-foamin'  an'  a-snortin'  an'  tearin' 
up  trees  by  de  roots,  but  'tain'  do  him  no  good,  fer 
Hyar'  wuz  outer  sight  by  dat  time,  fur  on  his  way  ter 
de  meetin'. 

"An'  now,"  finished  Aunt  Nancy,  as  she  gave  a  last 
twist  to  one  of  Kit's  long,  yellow  curls,  "dat  shows  y'all 
w'at  happen  ter  folks  whar  ain'  'tickler  'bout  keepin' 
der  years  clean.  Dey  think  no  pusson  gwine  notuss, 
but  someb'dy  sho'  ter  fin'  hit  out  an'  mek  fun  uv  'em 
an'  hoi'  'em  up  fer  a  disgrace  ter  der  fambly  an*  de 
qual'ty  in  gin'l." 

Here  she  carefully  threw  the  combings  that  had  ac- 
cumulated in  the  making  of  the  little  boy's  toilet  into 
the  fire,  explaining  that  if  they  were  thrown  away  and 
not  burned,  the  birds  might  find  them  and  use  them  in 
nest-building,  in  which  case  the  person  from  whose  head 
the  hair  came  would  be  sure  to  go  crazy ;  nothing  could 
avert  the  fate. 


197 


THE  TOAD  AND  THE  TEEKAPIN 

When  Aunt  Nancy  had  finished  curling  the  small 
boy's  hair,  he  insisted  that  she  owed  him  another  story, 
because  she  had  not  only  hurt  his  ears,  but  had  given 
his  hair  an  unlucky  pull.  She  objected  at  first,  saying 
that  she  had  other  fish  to  fry  and  must  go  along  about 
her  work.  At  last  she  relented  so  far  as  to  say  that 
she  would  tell  one  if  she  could  only  think  of  something 
new.  "I  done  toP  you  so  many  tales/'  she  said,  "dat  I 
done  used  all  de  creeturs  up,  runned  'em  plumb  inter 
de  groun'." 

"I  know  one  you  haven't  told  us  about  for  a  long 
time,"  said  Janey,  "and  that's  the  Toad-frog;  you  told 
us  a  story  about  him  a  long  time  ago  and  I  liked  it. 
It  was  all  about  the  Hopper-grass  and  the  Chicken- 
rooster." 

Aunt  Nancy  felt  flattered  that  her  story  should  have 
made  such  a  lasting  impression,  and  it  seemed  to  have 
a  happy  effect  upon  her  memory,  for  she  said  at  once 
that  she  believed  she  did  recollect  another  story  in 
which  the  Toad  figured,  along  with  the  Terrapin. 

"Hit  wuz  'long  in  strawba'y-time,"  she  commenced, 
"an'  Toad-frog  he  say  ter  hisse'f  dat  he  jes'  natchelly 
'bleeged  ter  have  him  a  mess  er  ba'ies,  'kase  he  ain'  had 
none  dat  'ear,  an'  he  wuz  'tickler  fond  uv  'em." 

Here  Ned  interrupted  to  say,  "Ho !  Aunt  Nancy,  who 
ever  heard  of  a  toad  eating  strawberries  ?" 

198 


THE   TOAD   AND   THE   TERRAPIN 

"Well,  dey  does,  den/'  said  the  story  teller,  indig- 
nantly; "I  done  seed  'em  at  hit  wid  my  own  eyes;  an' 
snakes  does,  too ;  dey  is  bof e  mighty  fond  uv  'em.  You 
neenter  think  folks  is  de  on'ies  ones  whar  knows  a 
good  thing  w'en  dey  sees  hit.  Does  you  s'pose  de  Lawd 
mek  de  good  things  jes'  fer  people  an'  don'  want  de 
creeturs  ter  git  der  sheer?  Naw,  suh,  He  want  'em  ter 
go  sheers ;  but  folks  done  got  so  mean  dat  dey  calls  hit 
stealin'  w'en  de  bu'ds  an'  de  bees  an'  de  wast-es  comes 
atter  de  grapes  an'  de  churries  an'  de  ba'ies  an'  sech 
ez  dat. 

"Well,  I  done  tol'  you  strawba'ies  wuz  ripe  an'  Toad- 
frog  wuz  jes'  a-honin'  fer  some.  He  wuz  gwine  hoppin' 
down  de  road,  singin'  dis  ol'  song  ter  hisse'f : 

'Dar  wuz  a  mouse  live'  in  a  house, 

Wid  a  rinktum  boddy  middy  Icimo, 
Dar  wuz  a  frog  live  in  a  well, 

Wid  a  rinktum  boddy  middy  Icimo, 
'An'  ef  he  ain'  gone  he  live  dar  still, 

Wid  a  rinktum  boddy  middy  Icimo. 
Kimo-narrow,  delto-sharrow, 

RinJctum  boddy  middy  Icimo, 
String-strong  pommy-doodle  ally-mody  ding- 
dong, 

Rinktum  boddy  middy  Icimo' 

"Jes'  ez  he  git  dat  fur  along  wid  de  song  who  shu'd 
he  met  up  wid  but  ol'  Mis'  Tarry-long  Tarr'pin.  Now 
she  wuz  mighty  fond  er  strawba'ies  husse'f,  an'  she 
knowed  whar  dar  wuz  a  baid  er  nice,  big  ripe  ones,  an* 
she  wuz  right  on  her  way  to  'em  den.  Mos'  in  gin'l 

199 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

she  wuz  a  turr'bl'  slow  trabeler,  but  dish  yer  mawnin' 
she  wuz  gwine  'long  right  peartly.  Wen  Toad-frog  seed 
dat,  he  'spicioned  sump'n  wuz  up,  an'  he  say  ter  hisse'f, 
he  say:  'Humph!  oF  Mis'  Tarr'pin  sho'  has  got  a 
move  on  husse'f  dis  mawnin'.  Now,  w'at  is  de  meanin' 
er  dat?  Lemme  see,  she  got  a  mighty  good  likin'  fer 
strawba'ies,  an'  I  boun'  you  she's  right  on  her  way  to 
'em  dis  minnit,  ef  de  trufe  wuz  knowed.  De  ol'  lady 
got  lots  er  gumption,  an'  I  reckon  she  know  jes'  whar 
dey're  a-growin'.  I  gwine  tackle  her  an'  see  ef  I  kain't 
git  ter  go  'long.' 

"Wid  dat  he  hop  up  'long  side  er  Mis'  Tarr'pin  an' 
he  say,  sezee :  'Heyo !  Mis'  Tarry-long,  I  ain'  need  ter 
ax  you,  how  is  you?  you  gwine  'long  yer  so  gaily  I 
sca'cely  knowed  you.  I  wanter  ax  you,  ma'am,  kin  you 
tell  me  whar  dey  is  any  strawba'ies?  I  ain'  had  nair' 
one  dis  'ear,  an'  my  appentite  gittin'  so  deliken  dat  I 
needs  sump'n  lak  dat  ter  putt  me  in  de  notion  er  eatin' 
ag'in.  You  sech  a  smart  lady  dat  I  'lowed  you'd  know 
whar  dey  wuz  some,  ef  anyb'dy  did.' 

"Mis'  Tarr'pin  she  wan't  gwine  gin  her  sekert  away, 
so  she  let  on  she  dunno  nuttin'  'bout  'em  an'  ain'  kyarin' 
fer  'em,  anyhows.  'Sho !  man,  g'way  f 'um  yer,'  she  say ; 
Vat  you  reckon  I  know  'bout  strawba'ies?  I  nuver 
eats  'em ;  I  ain'  got  no  mouf  fer  'em.' 

"Toad-frog  seed  he  wan't  gwine  git  nuttin'  outen  her 
dat-a-way,  so  he  jes'  mek  up  his  min'  ter  co'te  her  a 
li'l  an'  see  ef  dat  oon  wu'k.  'A  li'l  co'tin'  sometimes  go 
a  long  ways  wid  a  gal,'  sezee  ter  hisse'f;  'jes'  a  few  li'l 
honey-wu'ds  an'  dar  dey  is/ 

"He  'mence  bein'  mighty  flattersome  to  her  an' 
talkin'  all  sorts  er  sweet  talk,  lak  men  does  w'en  dey's 

200 


THE    TOAD    AND    THE    TEEEAPIN 

co'tin',  dough  dey  mos'  alluz  'ny  hit,  out  an'  out,  atter- 
wu'ds.  Las'  he  up  an'  ax  her  ain'  she  wanter  git  ma'ied. 

"She  'low,  'Naw,  suh,  dat  I  don' ;  not  ter  no  sech  li'l 
jumpin'  thing  ez  w'at  you  is.' 

"Toad-frog  laugh  fit  ter  kill  hisse'f,  an'  he  say,  sezee : 
'G'long  wid  you,  gal,  I  ain'  ax'  you  ter  have  me ;  I 
axed  you  does  you  wanter  git  ma'ied,  jes'  in  fun,  ter 
see  w'at  you  gwine  say.  I  ain'  axin'  none  er  de  gals  dese 
days;  'scuse  me,  ef  you  please.  Dis  de  time  w'en  you 
done  hollered  befo'  you  wuz  hurted.' 

"Dat  mek  Mis'  Tarr'pin  mad,  an'  she  say:  'Hysh, 
man !  g'long  'way  f 'um  yer ;  I  done  had  'nuff  er  yo' 
imp'ence.  Wat's  mo',  I  gwine  tell  ev'y  pusson  I  knows 
dat  you  done  ax  me  ter  ma'y  you  an'  I  oon  have  you. 
You  s'pose  any  er  de  gals  gwine  look  at  you  w'en  I  tell 
'em  dat?  Naw,  suh.  W'en  I  p'int  you  out  an'  snicker 
an'  snort  an'  say:  "Look  yonner,  gals!  Yonner  goes 
my  leavin's." : 

"  *Yas'm,  dat  dey  is,'  sezee ;  'men-folks  ain'  so  plenty 
dat  gals  kin  give  dersefs  too  many  extry  airs.  Sidesen 
dat,  I  kin  tell  my  side  uv  hit:  how  you  done  mistooken 
a  joke  fer  a  sho'-'nuff  axin';  an'  den  whar'll  you  be, 
Mis' Tarry-long?' 

"At  dat  she  turn  her  back  on  him  an'  walk  off.  Toad- 
frog  he  ain'  say  nuttin'  mo',  'scusin'  ter  tell  'er  'so-long.' 
Den  he  mek  out  lak  he  gwine  hop  off  tu'rr  way,  but, 
bless  yo'  soul,  no  sooner  wuz  her  back  good  an'  turnt 
dan  yer  come  Toad-frog,  w'ich  his  tu'rr  name  wuz 
Jimmy  Jump-er-long,  an'  gin  a  li'l  jump  an'  dar  he 
wuz,  settin'  up  on  her  back,  ridin'  'long  jes'  ez  cool  ez 
a  cowcumber,  an'  ol'  Mis'  Tarr'pin  nuver  even  'spicion 
he  wuz  dar,  'kase  her  back  so  hard  she  kain't  feel  him. 

201 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


"Dey  went  'long  dat-a-way,  Toad-frog  perched  up 
dar  cuttin'  all  sorts  er  shines,  doin'  lak  he  wuz  clickin' 
his  mouf  at  a  hoss,  widout  mekin'  no  soun',  an'  stannin' 
on  one  foot,  wid  tu'rr  laig  stuck  up  behime  in  de  air, 
fer  all  de  worl'  lak  dem  bar'back  riders  at  de  succus. 

"Las'  Mis'  Tarr'pin  she  stop,  an'  de  place  whar  she 
done  turn  inter  wuz  nuttin'  mo'  ner  less  dan  a  straw- 
ba'y-patch.  Toad-frog  hopped  down,  an'  sezee,  'Kreech ! 
kreech!  kreech!  I'se  ma'ied  a'raidy,  so  how  cu'd  I  ax 
you  ter  ma'y  me  ?  Tell  me  dat,  ma'am/ 

"Mis'  Tarr'pin  sut'n'y  wuz  s'prise'  w*en  she  see  dat 
creetur  hop  down  f'um  her  back.  She  say:  'Name  er 
common  sense,  how  you  git  on  my  back,  you  owdacious 
vil'yun?  Ma'ied  a'raidy,  is  you?  Well,  I  sut'n'y  is 
saw'y  fer  de  ooman.  Who  is  she,  anyways  ?  I  ain'  nuver 
year  tell  uv  her.' 

"'Kreech!  kreech!  kreech!'  sez  de  Toad-frog,  sezee. 
'  'Tain'  no  ooman 't  all.  I'se  wedded  ter  dese  yer  ba'ies ; 
dey  is  my  fus'  an'  my  las'  an'  my  on'ies  love,'  an'  wid  dat 
he  fall  ter  eatin'  hard'z  he  kin  swoller. 

"Mis'  Tarry-long  Tarr'pin  she  say  ter  herse'f,  she  say : 
Tin  er  min'  ter  gin  'im  one  good  bite  dat  he  kain't  fer- 
git  in  a  hurry,  but  I  'clar'  ter  gracious,  I'se  dat  disguss'id 
dat  I  ain'  gwine  sile  my  mouf  wid  him.  Nemmine, 
Mistah  Jimmy  Jump-er-long,  you  stuffin'  yo'se'f  full  er 
my  ba'ies  an'  you  feel  mighty  smart  over  hit,  but  some  er 
dese  days  I  gwine  mek  you  smart  on  tu'rr  side  yo'  mouf.' 
Wid  dat  she  walk  off  an'  leave  him  eatin',  an'  'twuz 
good  thing  fer  him  she  did,  'kase,  I  tell  you,  she  wuz  a 
nipper ;  an'  ef  she'd  a-bit  him  he  oon  bin  able  ter  fergit 
hit  in  a  mont'  er  Sundays." 


202 


THE   TOAD   AND   THE   TEEEAPIN 

"Aunt  Nancy,"  said  Janey,  "what  did  the  toad  mean 
when  he  said  'kreech !  kreech !  kreech'  ?" 

"Oh,  dat  'uz  jes'  his  way  er  talkin',"  said  the  old 
woman. 

"I  never  knew  toads  made  any  sound  at  all,"  said  the 
little  girl. 

"Oh,  yas,  dey  does ;  hit's  jes'  lak  I  tells  you :  'kreech ! 
kreech!  kreech!'  sump'n  'twix'  de  chu'ppin'  uv  a  bu'd 
an'  de  skreekin'  uv  a  mouse.  Many's  de  time  I  bin 
down  cellar  an'  think  I  year  a  mouse  skreekin'  an'  git 
all  skeert  an'  flutterated,  an'  yer  all  time  'twuz  nuttin' 
but  a  li'l  toad-frog  whar  wuz  tryin'  ter  git  outen  my 
way." 


203 


MR.   MUD-TURTLE'S   ADVENTURE 

The  next  day  the  children  went  down  to  the  river  for 
the  first  time,  under  the  guidance  and  protection  of 
William,  who  knew  the  short  cut  through  the  low- 
grounds  and  just  which  were  the  places  where  you  were 
most  likely  to  get  a  bite,  for  the  river  and  he  were  old 
and  dear  acquaintances  and  had  communed  together 
through  many  a  long,  sunny  day.  The  river  had  im- 
parted many  of  its  choicest  secrets  to  him,  for  there  is 
no  one  with  whom  Madam  Nature  lives  on  closer  terms 
of  intimacy  and  sympathy  than  with  that  wholly  un- 
trammeled  and  entirely  natural  animal,  known  as  "The 
Boy" 

William  was  the  possessor  of  a  vast  store  of  infor- 
mation dear  to  the  heart  of  childhood,  and  was  never 
better  pleased  than  when  called  upon  to  impart  some 
of  his  knowledge  to  the  less  enlightened.  He  knew  and 
could  imitate  the  notes  of  the  birds  and  the  cries  of  the 
beasts.  He  could  tell  when  spring  was  approaching  or 
summer  departing  by  the  arrival  or  departure  of  certain 
birds,  or  the  preparations  made  by  certain  animals.  He 
could  tell  time  by  looking  at  the  sun  and  was  learned  in 
weather-signs.  He  had  other  information,  besides,  of  a 
lesser  but  more  practical  sort,  for  he  knew  the  where- 
abouts of  a  shellbark  hickory,  the  only  one  for  miles 
around,  and  had  located  a  persimmon  tree  whose  crop 

204 


ME.    MUD-TUETLE'S   ADVENTUBE 

never  failed  and  whose  fruit  was  described  as  "mon- 
st'ous"  for  size.  He  knew  how  to  make  a  running  noose, 
and  could  lasso  a  fleeing  calf  with  the  ease  born  of 
long  practice.  He  was  an  authority  on  jack-knives,  and 
could  carve  peach-stone  baskets,  make  slings  and  whis- 
tles and  manufacture  bows  and  arrows.  He  was  well  up 
in  marbles  and  knew  just  how  many  "commies"  to  give 
for  an  "ally,"  and  how  many  allies  for  a  "glassy,"  and 
if  he  played  "for  keeps"  was  pretty  sure  to  do  all  the 
keeping. 

"Jack-straws"  and  "mumble-the-peg"  were  also  among 
his  lighter  accomplishments,  but  the  one  which 
exalted  him  most  in  the  eyes  of  the  children  was  his 
skill  as  a  bareback  rider.  As  he  rode  a  big  horse  to 
water,  sitting  sidewise,  whooping  and  digging  his  naked 
feet  into  the  animal  to  urge  him  to  greater  speed,  their 
admiration  was  unbounded.  Yet  this  was  not  the  end 
of  his  resources,  for  he  could  take  you  to  a  wonderful 
grapevine  swing,  in  which  you  could  swing  perilously  out 
over  the  edge  of  a  deep  hollow,  holding  your  breath  fear- 
fully until  you  landed  on  terra  firma  again ;  or  he  could 
pilot  you  to  an  old  peach-tree  which  exuded  enough  gum 
to  supply  a  dozen  children;  or  he  could  take  you  to  a 
place  where  Indian  arrow-heads  were  still  to  be  found; 
and  added  to  all  this,  he  knew  a  spot  in  the  garden 
where  the  youthful  fishermen  could  always  find  worms 
for  bait. 

He  was  important  and  happy  as  he  marshaled  his 
little  company  down  to  the  bank  of  the  dark,  sluggish 
river  that,  like  some  noiselessly  gliding  snake,  wound 
in  and  out  beneath  the  cypresses  and  the  pines.  He  chose 
a  safe  spot  for  the  children,  near  a  shallow,  and  baited 

205 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

hooks  all  around,  and  then,  removing  himself  a  short  dis- 
tance, sat  immovable,  pole  in  hand  and  hait  in  mouth, 
waiting  for  a  bite  with  all  the  patient  impatience  of  the 
born  angler. 

His  little  companions  found  too  much  to  look  at 
and  wonder  about  and  talk  over  to  make  a  success 
at  fishing,  and  they  sadly  interfered  with  his  sport;  but 
after  a  while  they  tired  of  waiting  for  a  bite  and  wan- 
dered up  and  down  the  bank  in  search  of  shells  and 
bright  pebbles  and  all  the  other  treasures  which  generous 
rivers  lay  out  upon  their  banks  within  reach  of  small 
hands.  Then  they  wandered  a  little  way  into  the  bushes 
in  search  of  woodland  treasures,  and  at  last,  growing 
tired,  they  rested  beneath  a  tree,  while  little  Kit  laid  his 
head  in  Janey's  lap  and  fell  fast  asleep.  Here  Aunt 
'Phrony  found  them  when  she  came  to  say  that  dinner 
was  ready. 

"Whar  dat  boy  Wi'yum?"  she  asked;  "fishin'  yit,  I'll 
be  boun' !  Jes'  let  him  git  a  pole  in  his  han'  an'  he  nuver 
know  ef  he's  'wake  er  sleep  er  full  er  empty.  Wi'yum ! 
You  Wi'yum !  Kain't  you  arnser  me,  er  is  I  gotter  come 
dar  an'  stomp  all  over  you !" 

However,  she  was  not  forced  to  administer  correction 
in  that  comprehensive  form,  for  just  then  Wi'yum  gave 
an  excited  whoop,  as  though  to  announce  something  im- 
portant, and  on  hurrying  down  they  found  him  in  the  act 
of  securing  a  good-sized  mud-turtle.  Aunt  'Phrony  lent 
her  aid,  in  as  great  a  state  of  excitement  as  Wi'yum 
himself,  whom  she  advised  to  be  very  careful  or  he  might 
lose  his  turtle,  for  "mud-turkles,"  she  said,  were  "mighty 
slickry  an'  onsut'n,  an'  lessen  you  keeps  a  sharp  eye 


206 


MR.   MUD-TURTLE'S   ADVENTURE 

on  'em  dey  may  git  'way  f  urn  you,  same  ez  dat  trickish 
ol'  Mistah  Mud-turkle  git  'way  f  um  de  creeturs  one 
time  w'en  dey  thought  dey  sho'-'nuff  had  'im.  Ef  y'all 
hurry  up  yo'  cakes  an'  ga'rr  yo'  trash  toge'rr  an'  come 
'long  home  dis  ve'y  minnit,  mebbe  I'll  tell  you  dat  tale 
ez  we  go  'long." 

The  treasures  so  disrespectfully  referred  to  as  "trash" 
were  caught  up  in  great  haste  and  the  homeward  proces- 
sion formed,  Wi'yum  leading  the  way,  proudly  bearing 
the  mud-turtle. 

"Well,  ez  I  wuz  sayin',"  the  old  woman  went  on, 
"Mistah  Mud-turkle  he  wuz  a  mighty  slickry  man,  an' 
he  bin  up  ter  mo'  tricks  dan  you  kin  shake  a  stick  at, 
an'  he  git  right  onpop'lous  wid  de  creeturs.  He  knowed 
dey  wuz  sort  er  layin'  fer  'im,  an'  ev'ry  now  an'  den  he'd 
come  up  f'um  de  bottom  er  de  river  an'  ketch  'em  on  de 
bank  watchin'  fer  'im.  Den  he'd  kick  his  behime  laigs 
up  in  de  air  at  'em  an'  dive  down  wid  a  gre't  splash. 
Atter  a  li'l  he'd  come  up  ag'in,  unner  de  shadder  uv  a 
big  lily  pad,  an'  lay  jes'  below  de  top  er  de  water  wid  his 
snout  out  ter  git  de  air,  watchin'  de  creeturs  whar  wuz 
layin'  fer  him.  W'en  dey  wan't  lookin'  he'd  climb  up  on 
de  log  ag'in,  an'  ef  dey  showed  signs  er  mekin'  a  snatch 
at  'im,  down  he'd  go  wid  anu'rr  splash. 

"One  time  dey  ketched  'im  w'en  he  bin  mo'  rantanker- 
ous  dan  uver  befo',  an'  dey  ses  to  'im,  'Mistah  Mud- 
turkle,  we  is  ve'y  saw'y  we  hatter  speak  so  plain  ter  you, 
but  de  trufe  is  we  done  gin  you  a  long  rope  an'  now 
you  is  come  ter  de  plumb  een'  uv  hit  an'  we  kain't  pay 
out  no  mo',  we  'bleeged  ter  pull  you  up  shawt  on  de 
road  you  is  gwine,  an'  we'se  sut'n'y  saw'y  ter  fotch  you 


207 


up  \fi&  a  ju'k  but  we  done  made  up  ow'  min's  dat  we 
mus'  do  hit  erne j  lately,  so  we  gwine  exescoot  you  on 
de  spot/ 

"OF  Mud-turkle  he  'suade  an'  he  'suade  an'  he  'suade, 
but  'twan't  no  use,  an'  las'  he  say,  'Gemmen,  dish  yer  is 
mighty  hard  on  bofe  un  us,  'kase  I  'low  dat  you  am' 
hone  ter  do  dis  an'  I  knows  I  ain'  hone  ter  have  hit  done, 
but  ef  exescoot  is  de  w'ud,  w'y  den  exescoot  mus'  be  de 
deed.  But  I  ax  y'all,  gemmen,  'kase  you  is  fambly  men, 
same  ez  me,  ter  please  lemme  go  home  an'  bid  farVell 
ter  my  ol'  ooman  an'  de  chillens.'  , 

"Den  he  drord  down  one  er  his  th'ee  pairs  er  eyeleds 
an'  sot  dar  lookin'  jes'  ez  sleepy  ez  you  please  an'  ez 
harmless  ez  ef  he  ain'  nuver  kotched  an'  et  even  so  much 
ez  a  frog  er  a  tadpole. 

"De  creeturs  wuz  might'ly  tickled  by  w'at  he  ax  'bout 
goin'  home  ter  bid  far'well,  but  dey  wan't  tucken  in  by 
hit,  so  dey  ses,  'Saw'y  not  ter  'commodate  you,  but  to- 
day's right  yer  an'  to-morrer's  right  dar,  an'  de  bu'd  in 
de  han'  's  wuf  two  in  de  bush,  so  you  mought  ez  well  mek 
yo'  reddymints  an'  say  yo'  pra'rs,  'kase  we  is  gwine  putt 
you  in  de  midse  er  dish  yer  big  fire  we  buildin'  up,  an' 
dat  '11  mek  sho'  you  kain't  cut  no  mo'  er  yo'  highf alutins 
in  dese  diggin's.' 

"Turkic  he  wuz  kind  er  cas'  down  fer  a  minnit,  an'  sot 
dar  wid  his  jaw  drapt,  but  pres'n'y  he  git  a  notion  dat 
perk  him  up  might'ly,  an'  he  say,  'Sho!  you-all  done 
tucken  so  much  trouble  'bout  dat  fire  dat  I  is  mos' 
'shame'  ter  tell  you,  yo'  wu'k  ain'  gwine  'mount  ter 
shucks,  'kase  I  wuz  bawnded  an'  brunged  up  in  de  fire, 
an'  ef  dar  is  one  place  mo'n  a  nu'rr  whar  I  feels  at  home, 
hits  spang  in  de  fire.' 

208 


°0 

o 


> 

5 


>H 

S 


ME.    MUD-TURTLE'S   ADVENTURE 


"Den  de  creeturs  go  off  li'l  ways  an'  have  a  confab, 
an'  den  dey  come  back  an'  putt  a  big  pot  er  water  on 
de  fire,  an'  w'en  hit  git  ter  bilin',  dey  ses,  'Well,  Mistah 
Mud-tinkle,  yo'  time  is  sho'ly  come  now,  fer  onct  you 
strike  dat  bilin'  water  we  gwine  th'ow  you  in,  hit  '11  be 
good-by,  Mistah  Mud-turkle.' 

"Den  he  say,  sezee,  'Gemmen,  I'se  saw'y  ter  see  you 
was'e  so  much  er  yo'  time  on  a  no-kyount  creetur  lak 
me,  so  I  gwine  tell  you  you  kain't  kill  me  dat-a-way.  I 
ain'  min'  ef  you  putt  me  in  de  pot,  'kase  all  I  gotter 
do  be  ter  scrabble  roun'  a  li'l  an'  kick  out  my  footses, 
an'  I  got  sech  strenk  in  'em  dat  firs'  news  you  know  de 
pot  be  over  an'  mo'n  likely  some  er  you-all  whar  ain'  got 
a  shell  on  you  be  scalt  stidder  me.  I'se  saw'y  ter  upsot 
yo'  plans,  but  I  be  boun'  ter  upsot  de  pot,  dat's  de  gospel 
trufe.* 

"By  dat  time  de  creeturs  wuz  kind  er  outdone,  an'  dey 
say,  *Le's  we-all  tek  de  mis'able  ol'  bag-er-shucks  an' 
th'ow  him  ker-smack  inter  de  river,  I  boun'  you  dat  be 
big  'miff  so's't  he  kain't  kick  outen  hit.' 

"OF  Turkic  he  snicker  ter  hisse'f  w'en  he  year  dat, 
'kase  he  see  dey  done  fergot  he  b'long  in  de  river.  Den 
he  say  wid  a  turr'ble  whine  in  his  voice,  'Oh,  please, 
gemmen,  fer  de  love  er  mussy  don'  you  go  fer  ter  th'ow 
me  in  de  river.  Kill  me  any  way  you  wanter,  but  not 
dat ;  seem  lak  I  kain't  stan'  hit  ter  be  at  de  bottom  er  de 
col',  dark  river.' 

"He  kep'  gwine  on  dat-a-way  'kase  he  knowed  de 
creeturs  be  sho'  ter  putt  him  dar  ef  dey  think  he  ain' 
wanter  go,  but  in  co'se  de  river  wuz  prezackly  de  place 
whar  he  b'long  an'  whar  he  wanter  be. 

"Sho'  'nuff !  dey  tucken  him  by  de  tail  an'  drug  him 
209 


down  to  de  river,  him  baiggin'  all  de  time,  'Oh,  please, 
suh,  lemme  go !  Please  don'  do  me  dis-a-way !  Lemme 
off  dis  time  an'  I  ain'  do  so  no  mo' !'  De  creeturs  ain'  pay 
no  'tention  but  go  right  on  an'  th'ow  him  inter  de  deepes' 
place  whar  dey  kin  fin'.  Wen  he  git  ter  de  bottom  he 
laid  dar  still  ez  a  mouse,  not  even  so  much  ez  twitchin' 
his  tail,  an'  dey  thought  he  wuz  sho'-'nuff  daid  an'  went 
off  an'  lef  him. 

"Wen  dey  git  off  a  piece,  he  open  one  eye  mighty 
kyarful  an'  wall  hit  roun'  a  li'l  an'  seed  de  coas'  wuz 
cle'r.  Den  he  'gun  ter  climb  out  on  tu'rr  bank.  Wen 
he  wuz  clean  up  on  de  bank  an'  knowed  dey  cu'dden  git 
'cross  to  him,  he  fetched  a  big  whoop,  an'  w'en  dey  turn 
roun'  ter  look  he  sing  out,  'Hi,  yi !  gemmen,  how  is  dish 
yer  f er  a  exescooshun  ?  Come  'long  over  yer  an'  exescoot 
me  some  mo' !  I'se  feelin'  tol'ble  lively  fer  a  cawpse, 
I  is!'  An'  wid  dat  he  fetched  anu'rr  whoop  an'  dove 
down  de  bank  inter  water,  haid  fo'most,  an'  lef  'em  dar 
fair  foamin'  at  de  mouf.  An'  I  reckon  we  better  be 
hurryin'  'long  li'l  faster'n  we  has  bin,  er  'Liza  she  be 
foamin'  at  de  mouf,  too,  'kase  you  done  kep'  de  dinner 
waitin'.  Cooks  is  mighty  tetchy  'bout  dat." 


210 


THE  CKANE  AND  THE  HUMMING-BIKD 

The  long  visit  to  Uncle  Henry  was  nearly  at  an  end. 
Next  day  but  one  the  children  and  their  mother  were 
to  go  North  again.  So  it  came  about  that  the  little 
folks  were  once  more  permitted  to  spend  the  evening 
at  the  cook-house,  where  there  was  a  goodly  gathering, 
presided  over  by  the  little  hunch-backed  cook,  Eliza, 
who,  as  she  would  have  said,  had  sent  out  "noration" 
that  there  was  to  be  a  grand  story-telling  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  little  white'  children  who  were  so  soon  to  leave 
them.  Sam,  the  driver,  was  there,  beaming  on  his 
elderly  enchantress  with  every  white  tooth  in  his  head. 
Tim,  the  plow-boy,  had  brought  his  banjo  and  was 
happy  in  the  presence  of  his  coy  charmer,  Gassy.  Aunt 
'Phrony's  grandson,  "Wi'yum,"  was  also  present,  while 
Coonie,  the  house-boy,  constant  in  his  devotion  to  every- 
thing eatable,  was  seated  on  the  hearth  engaged  in 
roasting  potatoes  in  the  ashes. 

Of  course  the  two  story-tellers,  Aunt  Nancy  and  Aunt 
'Phrony,  were  present,  for  the  occasion  would  have  been 
as  nothing  without  them.  These  last  were  rather  shy 
of  beginning,  saying  that  they  "wan't  feelin'  quite  up 
ter  hit  yit,"  so,  by  way  of  raising  their  spirits  to  the 
desired  pitch,  Tim  picked  his  banjo  a  while,  Wi'yum 
did  the  famous  "back-step"  and  Coonie  executed  a  curi- 
ous dance,  the  performance  of  which  he  called  "knockin* 

211 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

de  'rang-a-'tang,"  during  which  he  thumped  his  feet  on 
the  floor  in  such  an  emphatic  manner  that  it  seemed  as 
if  something  must  give  way — either  feet  or  floor.  But 
neither  did,  and  the  dance  reached  a  safe  conclusion 
amidst  a  great  deal  of  applause  and  laughter. 

At  last  the  turn  of  the  story-tellers  came,  and  Auni 
'Phrony  allowed  herself  to  be  persuaded  to  begin.  She 
said  she  would  tell  the  story  of  the  Humming-bird  and 
the  Crane,  as  it  contained  some  good  advice  to  young 
men  who  were  courting,  and  here  she  rolled  her  eyes  in 
a  meaning  way  at  Tim  and  Gassy. 

"I  reckon,"  she  began,  "dat  mens  bin  co'tin'  gals  uver 
sence  de  beginnin'  er  time,  an'  I  een-about  reckon  dey 
gwine  keep  hit  up  ontwel  de  een'.  Wat's  mo',  de  gals 
alluz  bin  runnin'  on  wid  'em,  laughin'  at  'em  one  time, 
cryin'  'bout  'em  anu'rr,  turnin'  der  backs  on  'em  one 
minnit,  runnin'  atter  'em  de  nex' ;  an'  I  s'pose  dey  gwine 
keep  up  dat  foolishness  long  ez  de  worl'  wag.  Back  in 
de  ol'  days,  dar  wuz  a  gal  whar  live  way  out  yonner 
som'ers;  a  mighty  harnsome,  likely  sort  er  gal,  an'  all 
de  creeturs  wuz  plumb  crazy  over  her,  an'  'spute  an' 
kyar'  on  'bout  who  gwine  git  her,  an'  sometimes  dey  had 
reg'ler  fist-an'-skull  fights  'bout  hit.  De  gal  she  wuz 
mighty  nice  to  'em  all,  runnin'  on  wid  'em  an'  sof- 
sawderin'  each  one  w'en  she  git  him  off  by  hisse'f,  'twel 
he  think  he'z  de  one  she  gwine  choose,  fer  sho'.  Dat-a- 
way  she  keep  'em  all  projeckin'  roun'  her  day  in  an'  day 
out,  'kase  she  thought  she  cu'd  git  ma'ied  any  time  she 
git  raidy  ter  quit  her  foolishness,  jes'  de  way  dese  yer 
good-facetet  gals  is  mighty  ap'  ter  think  dey  kin'  do, 
dough  sometimes  dey  keeps  hit  up  jes'  a  li'l  too  long  an' 
fines  derse'fs  high  an'  dry  on  de  she'f.  Las'  her  folks 

212 


THE  CKAKE  AND  THE   HUMMING-BIKD 

git  'feard  dat  mebbe  dat  de  way  she  gwine  do,  an*  dey 
tell  her  she  urns'  mek  her  ch'ice  an'  git  ma'ied. 

"De  bu'ds  dey  wuz  kind  er  lis'nin'  roun',  an'  dey  got 
de  news  er  dis  firs',  an'  dey  ses  ter  one  nu'rr  dat  dey 
gwine  'cide  de  marter  wid  a  race,  startin'  'way  off  f  um 
de  gal's  house  an'  w'ichuver  got  dar  fus'  wuz  ter  have 
her. 

"Gal  she  ain'  say  nuttin',  jes'  grin  at  'em  all  lak  she 
alluz  do,  an'  dey  g'long  off  ter  de  startin'  place  jes'  mo'n 
'sputin'  an'  argyfyin'  wid  one  nu'rr.  Las'  dey  got  so 
rantankerous  dat  mos'  un  'em  wuz  plumb  'feard  ter  go 
inter  de  race  f  er  fear  dey  mought  be  tore  limb  f  um  limb 
ef  dey  did  git  de  gal.  Las'  dar  wan't  but  th'ee  lef  dat 
wuz  willin'  ter  mek  de  trial,  an'  dem  wuz  de  Tukkey 
an'  de  Crane  an'  de  Hummin'-bu'd.  Tukkey  he  start 
off  mighty  biggitty  an'  flewed  a  li'l  ways  at  a  big  bus'  er 
speed,  but  he  wuz  too  haivy  ter  keep  dat  up  long,  so  he 
lit  an'  tried  ter  run  'long  de  groun',  but  sho !  he  done  f  er- 
got de  time  de  cunjerers  putt  a  lot  er  li'l  bones  in  his 
laigs  so's't  he  cu'dden  run  fas'.  He  seed  tu'rr  bu'ds  wuz 
gittin'  so  fur  ahaid  uv  him  dat  'twan't  no  use  ter  try,  so 
he  say  ter  hisse'f ,  sezee :  'Shucks !  let  me  outen  dis ;  I 
ain'  want  nuttin'  ter  do  wid  no  sech  a  hurrah's-nes'  ez 
dish  yer  is ;  dar  ain'  no  gals  livin'  dat's  wuf  hit.  Lemme 
git  back  ter  my  home  an'  stay  dar  in  peace  an'  quiet.' 
So  he  went  swingin'  off  home,  an'  dat  lef  nob'dy  in  de 
race  but  de  Crane  an'  de  Hummin'-bu'd. 

"De  Crane  mighty  sho'  he  gwine  beat,  'kase  he  have 
sech  long  laigs,  an'  Hummin'-bu'd  sho'  he  cu'd  beat, 
'kase  er  de  swif'ness  uv  his  wings.  Crane  say  ter  hisse'f, 
sezee,  'Humph !  I  ain'  got  dese  yer  long  laigs  fer  nut- 
tin';  I  gwine  beat  dat  li'l  no-kyount  Hummin'-bu'd  ter 

213 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


flinders/  an*  Hummin'-bu'd  he  say  ter  hisse'f,  sezee, 
'Shucks !  how  kin  dat  gre't,  gawkin',  long-legged  creetur 
think  he  gwine  keep  up  wid  me?  Hit's  plumb  rank 
foolishness  fer  me  ter  keep  goin'  night  an'  day,  so  I 
jes'  gwine  res'  me  off  good  at  night,  an'  in  de  mawnin' 
I  kin  soon  ketch  up  wid  ol'  Crane  an'  pass  him  on  de 
road.' 

"So  Hummin'-bu'd  he  res'  off  all  night,  an'  Crane  he 
go  on  an'  on,  an'  w'en  mawnin'  come  an'  he  see  dat 
Hummin'-bu'd  ain'  kotch  up  wid  him,  he  say  ter  hisse'f, 
he  say,  'Lazy  li'l  rascal,  I  boun'  you  he  'z  sleepin'  yit,  an' 
I  'spec'  de  sun  be  good  an'  high  befo'  he  crawls  out,  so 
I  jes'  gwine  stop  right  yer  at  dis  pond  an'  git  me  a  snack 
er  frogs,  'kase  dish  yer  night-trabel  done  wo'  me  to  a 
frazzle  an'  lef  me  empty  ez  a  go'de.'  Wid  dat  he  stop 
at  de  aidge  er  de  pond  an'  stan'  dar  on  one  laig,  waitin' 
an'  watchin'  fer  de  frogs.  He  wuz  a  pow'f ul  good  fisher- 
man an'  mighty  fond  er  frogs.  He  cu'd  spy  'em  an'  run 
'em  thu  wid  his  bill  'fo'  dey  knowed  w'at  had  'em.  He 
stood  dar  stuffin'  an'  stuffin'  hisse'f  'twel  he  clean  fergot 
how  de  time  wuz  passin',  an'  fus'  news  he  knew  yer  come 
de  Hummin'-bu'd  an'  pass  him  lak  a  streak  er  lightnin'. 
He  call  out  ez  he  pass,  'Heyo !  Mistah  Crane,  teckin'  hit 
easy,  I  see,  suh.  Dat's  right ;  don'  yo'  hurry  yo'se'f  fer 
nuttin'  ner  nob'dy,  let  'lone  a  gal.  So-long,  suh ;  hope 
you  git  dar  in  time  fer  de  weddinV  Crane  he  hurry 
hisse'f  might'ly  atter  dat,  but  he  wuz  stuff'  so  full  dat 
trabelin'  wuz  hard  wu'k,  an'  he  ain'  see  Hummin'-bu'd 
ag'in  dat  day. 

"Well,  dey  kep'  hit  up  dat-a-way,  one  stoppin'  ter  res' 
by  night  an'  tu'rr  stoppin'  ter  eat  by  day,  'twel  de  las' 
day  done  come.  Crane  he  'cide  ter  do  widout  a  snack 

214 


THE   CKAKE  AND  THE   HUMMING-BIKD 

dat  day,  an'  he  putt  on  a  big  bus'  uv  speed  an'  got  ter  de 
gal's  house  'bout  noon.     Jes'  a  minnit  atter,  yer  come 


Hummin'-bu'd,  all  a-flutterin'  an'  a-flusterin',  an'  dat 
mad  dat  he  ain'  kin  see  straight,  'kase  he  los'  de  race 

215 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

jes'  by  dat  one  minnit.  De  trufe  wuz  he  done  overslep' 
hisse'f  er  he  moughter  beat  ol'  Crane  widout  half  tryin'. 

"Now  de  gal  she  wanted  de  Hummin'-bu'd  ter  beat, 
an'  she  wuz  might'ly  putt  out  w'en  she  see  de  Crane  wuz 
de  winner,  so  she  mek  up  her  min' .  dat  she  oon  tek 
neener  one  uv  'em,  an'  w'en  Crane  step  up  ter  claim  her 
she  say,  'Naw,  suh,  'scuse  me,  suh.  Nex'  time  you  mek 
a  bargum  I  'vize  you  ter  ax  de  cornsent  er  de  lady. 
Y'all  tol'  me  you  gwine  run  a  race,  but  is  you  uver 
year  me  say  I  gwine  ma'y  de  winner  ?  Naw,  suh,  I  ain' 
say  nuttin'  't  all.  Mistah  Crane,  yer,  he  done  think 
heap  mo'  uv  his  dinner  dan  he  do.er  me,  an'  Mistah 
Hummin'-bu'd  think  too  much  uv  his  natchel  slumbers, 
an'  you  bofe  done  bin  too  sho'  er  gittin'  me.  You  mus' 
nuver  be  sho'  uv  anything  w'en  you'se  co'tin'  a  gal,  leas' 
uv  all,  de  gal  husse'f .  An'  now  I  ain'  gwine  teck  neener 
one'r  you.  I  gwine  teck  dish  yer  King-fisher  whar  bin 
settin'  yer  jes'  a-cotin'  an'  a-cotin'  me  w'ile  y'all  bin  off 
on  dat  race/ 

"So  dat  de  way  she  tuck  an'  done,  an'  de  Crane  an'  de 
Hummin'-bu'd  jes'  hatter  turn  tails  an'  go  home,  an' 
my  daddy,  w'en  he  tol'  me  de  tale,  say  dat  uver  sence 
den,  w'en  de  medincin'-men  cunjer  ter  fin'  out  who 
gwine  ma'y  who,  dey  names  de  onlucky  beads  atter  de 
Crane  an'  de  Hummin'-bu'd,  an'  de  lucky  bead  dey  call 
atter  de  King-fisher." 


216 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  HOT  POTATOES 

After  the  story  of  the  Crane  and  the  Humming-bird, 
'Liza,  playing  the  role  of  impartial  hostess,  called  on 
Aunt  Nancy  to  take  part  in  entertaining  the  com- 
pany. 

"Naw,  ma'am,  Sis'  'Liza,  please  'scuse  me  dis  evenin'," 
said  she ;  "de  mis'ry  in  my  f ootses  dat  bad  dey  feels  lak 
two  plumb  chunks  er  pain,  an'  my  haid  ache  me  so's't 
I  kain't  year  myse'f  think,  let  'lone  study  'bout  sech  ez 
dem  61'  tales.  You  please,  ma'am,  ter  'scuse  me." 

But  the  company  fully  understood  that,  like  many  an 
entertainer  in  more  exalted  circles  of  society,  Aunt 
Nancy  wanted  coaxing,  and  between  their  compliments 
on  the  one  hand  and  on  the  other  sundry  sniffs  from 
Aunt  'Phrony,  which  seemed  intended  to  cast  discredit 
upon  the  old  woman's  miseries  of  head  and  feet,  she  was 
finally  induced  to  relent. 

She  was  about  to  begin,  when  she  fell  to  laughing 
immoderately  at  Coonie,  who  had  burned  his  fingers  in 
pulling  a  hot  potato  from  the  ashes,  and  was  sucking 
them  vigorously  with  many  grimaces  and  exclamations. 
When  she  could  speak  for  laughing,  she  explained  that 
it  had  reminded  her  of  one  time  when  Mr.  Fox  pulled 
hot  potatoes  from  the  ashes  for  the  benefit  of  Mis'  Molly 
Hare  and  her  family. 

"  'Twuz  one  winter  night,"  she  said,  "one'r  dem  nights 
w'en  ol'  Jack  Fros'  jes'  goes  a-whoopin'  an'  a-hollerin' 
roun'  de  house,  whustlin'  thu  de  keyholes,  an'  rattlin' 

217 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

de  winders,  an*  retchin'  up  thu  de  cracks  in  de  flo'  an' 
pinchin'  folks  by  de  toes.  01'  man  Hyar'  an'  Mis' 
Hyar3  an'  de  chillen  wuz  all  scrunched  up  by  de  fire 
tryin'  ter  keep  wo'm,  waitin'  an'  watchin'  fer  de  'taters 
whar  wuz  roas'in'  in  de  ashes. 

"  'Lawsy !  lawsy !'  sez  de  ol'  man,  stretchin'  hisse'f  an' 
knockin'  de  ashes  outen  his  pipe,  'lawsy !  lawsy !  dar  ain' 
nuttin'  in  dis  livin'  worl'  gwine  roust  me  outen  de  house 
dis  night.  I  gwine  stay  right  yer  'long  wid  y'all  an' 
toas'  my  shins  an'  smoke  my  pipe.  Hits  col'  'nuff  out- 
side ter  freeze  de  hawns  offen  a  buffler.  01'  ooman, 
git  out  de  cider-jug  an'  le's  we  have  a  li'l  dram  all 
roun'  ter  wo'm  us  up,  an'  by  dat  time  de  'taters  '11  be 
good  an'  done.'  So  Mis'  Hyar'  she  drammed  'em  all 
roun'  wid  cider,  an'  den  she  'mence  ter  scratch  out  de 
'taters,  w'ile  de  chillen  sot  up  on  der  ha'nches  watchin' 
her  wid  der  big,  bright  eyes  an'  wu'kkin'  der  noses  an' 
smackin'  der  chops  lak  dey  kain't  sca'cely  wait.  Dat 
mus'  'a  bin  a  sight,  Mis'  Molly  scratchin'  'way  in  de 
ashes  wid  her  li'l  ol'  white  cotton  tail  turnt  up  in  de 
air  an'  her  behime  footses  jes'  a-flyin'. 

"W'ile  she  wuz  wu'kkin',  de  chillen  dey  wuz  grabbin' 
de  'taters,  an'  de  ol'  man  he  hatter  do  a  li'l  cuffin'  an' 
scoldin'.  He  say,  'You  Jumper  an'  Thumper!  I  want 
you  ter  stop  snatchin'  f 'um  Bunny  an'  Honey ;  dem's  de 
babies,  an'  dey  kain't  look  out  fer  derse'f s ;  you  orter  be 
'shame'  er  yo'se'fs!  Winker  an'  Blinker,  you  neenter 
think  I  dunno  you'se  snougin'  'taters  an'  hidin'  'em  be- 
hime yo'  backs.  Putt  'em  back  an'  go  sheers  all  roun', 
er  I  come  dar  an'  cuff  you  good,  so  he'p  me  bob !' 

"Mis'  Hyar*  she  go  on  scratchin'  an'  she  git  mighty 
wo'm.  Las'  her  footses  'mence  ter  smart,  and  she  say, 

218 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  HOT  POTATOES 

*Lan'  er  de  livin' !  dish  yer  too  hot  f er  me ;  lemme  git  out 
whar  I  kin  cool  my  paws;  nemmine  ef  I  gits  de  chil- 
blains ;  mought  'z  well  freeze  up  ez  burn  up.' 

"Wid  dat  she  mek  fer  de  do',  an'  w'en  dey  open  hit, 
dar  stood  Mistah  Fox,  jes'  a-shiverin'  an'  a-shakin'  wid 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

de  col'.  Mis'  Molly  she  say,  'Heyo!  Mistah  Fox;  dish 
yer's  a  nice,  wo'm  evenin'  you  done  s'lected  fer  yo' 
visit.  Will  you  have  a  cheer  jes'  outside  de  do'  ?' 

"Fox  he  say,  wid  his  toofs  jes'  a-clatterin'  an'  a-chat- 
terin',  sezee,  'Please,  ma'am,  Mis'  Molly  Cotton-tail,  ter 
lemme  come  in  dis  ve'y  minnit  an'  don'  stan'  dar  pro- 
jeckin'  wid  me,  'kase  I  is  friz  ter  de  marrer  an'  I'se 
'bleeged  ter  git  thawed  out  er  else  drap  right  yer  in  my 
tracks.' 

"  'Well,'  sez  Molly,  sez  she,  'I  dunno  'bout  lettin'  you 
in;  dish  yer  a  mighty  col'  night,  an'  we-all  got  jes'  a 
han'ful  er  fire  an'  a  lot  er  paws  ter  be  wo'med  at  hit, 
fer  you  know  I  got  some  'leven  er  mo'  chillen  in  my 
fambly,  but  I  reckon  I  mought  mek  out  ter  let  you  in 
ef  you'll  unnerteck  de  job  er  diggin'  a  lot  er  'taters  outen 
de  ashes.' 

"  'Lemme  git  in,'  sez  de  Fox,  sezee,  'I'se  good  fer  all 
night  at  dat  job ;  jes'  lemme  git  my  footses  in  dem  ashes 
onct  an'  I  ain'  gwine  teck  'em  out  in  a  hurry/ 

"Hyar'  she  say,  'Walk  in  an'  mek  yo'se'f  at  home ;  we 
gwine  gin  you  a  mighty  wo'm  welcome,'  an'  right  dar 
she  grin  behime  Fox's  back  an'  wunk  at  ol'  man  Hyar'. 
'Git  yo'  moufs  raidy,  now,  chillen !'  she  sing  out  ter  de 
young  uns,  an'  ol'  Fox  jes'  lit  inter  scratching  lak  all 
possessed,  an'  de  chillen  sot  dar  an'  gobbled  'taters  fas- 
ter'n  he  cu'd  dig  'em  out.  Las'  he  'gin  ter  git  kind  er 
wo'm,  an'  he  say,  'Ouch!  ouch!!  ouch!!!'  Mis'  Hyar' 
say,  'W'at  de  marter,  Mistah  Fox,  ain'  yo'  feet  wo'm 
yit?' 

"Fox  he  ain'  say  nuttin',  jes'  go  on  a-scratchin',  but 
pres'n'y  his  foo'tses  wuz  dat  scorched  an'  swinged  dat  he 
cu'dden  stan'  hit,  an'  he  say,  'Jimminy  Crick!  Mis' 

220 


THE  FOX  AND  THE  HOT  POTATOES 


Hyar',  you  mus'  let  me  off  on  dis  job,  you  sho'ly  mus'. 
I  reckon  de  chillen  done  got  der  fill  by  dis  time,  any- 
hows.' 

"  'Naw,  mammy,  dat  we  ain' !  mek  him  go  on/  dey 
sez,  an'  Mis'  Hyar'  she  say,  'You  year  dat  now.  I  kain't 
let  my  chillen  go  hongry,  so  I  'bleeged  ter  ax  you  ter 
go  on,  er  else  me  an'  my  ol'  man  gotter  fling  you  out 
dar  in  de  fros'.' 

"Fox  he  set  an'  study  a  minnit  'bout  w'icht  wuz  de 
wuss,  de  fire  er  de  fros',  an'  las'  he  mek  up  his  min'  ter 
try  de  fire  a  li'l  longer.  Sidesen  dat  he  wuz  in  de  hopes 
er  gittin'  a  'tater  f er  his  own  sheer,  'f o'  dey  wuz  all  gone. 
So  he  go  on  wid  de  scratchin'  fer  a  w'ile,  an'  las'  he 
kain't  stan'  hit  no  longer  an'  he  bus'  out  ter  yellin',  'Ow ! 
ow !  ow !  ouch !  lemme  outen  dis !  putt  me  in  de  fros'  er 
any  place  whar  I  kin  cool  my  f  ootses !  m-m-m-m-umph ! 
my  f  ootses  done  bu'nt  clean  offen  me  !' 

"Dat  wuz  de  trufe,  too,  an'  w'en  Mis'  Hyar'  see  Fox 
ain'  got  no  footses  ter  scratch  wid  no  mo',  dey  jes'  tuck 
him  an'  flung  him  out  in  de  col'  an'  shet  de  do'  on  him. 
He  went  limpin'  long  li'l  ways,  colder'n  uver,  an'  jes' 
a-studyin'  how  he  gwine  git  back  by  dat  fire.  Pres'n'y 
he  met  up  wid  nu'rr  Fox,  a  li'l  young  feller,  easy  ter 
fool,  an'  he  say  ter  him,  sezee,  'Heyo,  young  man,  w'at 
you  doin'  canterin'  roun'  dis  col'  night;  does  yo' 
mammy  know  yo're  out?  You  better  come  'long  go 
back  wid  me  ter  ol'  man  Hyar's.  Dey  got  a  rip-roarin' 
fire  dar  an'  a  lot  er  'taters  roas'in',  an'  dey'll  let  you  git 
wo'm  an'  gin  you  a  'tater,  too,  jes'  fer  pullin'  'em  outen 
de  ashes/ 

"Mistah  Young-fox  say,  'Well,  Mistah  Slickry-sly,  I 
ain'  kyare  ef  I  do/  So  dey  g*long  back  ter  oP  Hyar's 

221 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

house  an'  knock,  an*  Slickry  he  'splain  dat  he  done 
brung  someb'dy  ter  pull  'taters  outen  de  ashes,  so  Mis' 
Hyar'  she  'vite  'em  in  an'  set  de  young  feller  ter  wu'k. 

"He  wuz  mighty  peart  'bout  hit  at  fus',  but  I  let  you 
know  'twan't  long  'fo'  he  slack  up,  an'  pres'n'y  he  wuz 
gruntin'  an'  groanin'  an'  lickin'  his. paws.  01'  Fox  he 
sot  dar  an'  aigged  him  on  an'  et  taters  wid  de  fambly 
an'  hollered  an'  laughed  w'en  las'  Young-fox  drap  a  hot 
tater  an'  bolt  fer  de  do'.  'Don'  be  in  sech  has'e,'  he  call 
out  atter  him;  'you  gwine  fin'  mighty  col'  wedder  out- 
side.' 

"Mis'  Hyar'  she  putt  on  a  sollum  look  an'  she  say, 
she  do,  'Mistah  Slickry  Sly-fox,  ain'  you  'shame'  ter 
mek  fun  er  yo'  feller  creetur  ?' 

"Fox  he  'spon',  'Naw,  dat  I  ain'.  You  done  yearn 
befo'  now  dat  mis'ry  love  comp'ny.  You  don'  s'pose  I 
wuz  gwine  be  de  on'ies'  fox  in  dese  diggin's  whar  go 
limpin'  roun'  wid  stumps  fer  footses?  Naw,  suh,  not 
ef  de  co'te  know  hitse'f,  an'  hit  think  hit  do.' 

"OF  man  Hyar'  let  on  lak  he  wuz  clean  outdone  wid 
sech  talk,  an'  he  jes'  tucken  his  foot  'way  f'um  Fox  an' 
lan'ed  him  plumb  outside  de  do',  an'  he  say,  sezee,  'Teck 
dat,  now,  an'  g'long,  an'  don'  you  come  yer  no  mo'  talkin' 
no  sech  a  way  ez  dat  befo'  my  li'l  chillen;  I  don'  want 
'em  ter  1'arn  sech  'havishness  ter  der  feller  creeturs. 
You  year  me,  suh !  now  mosey,  befo'  I  teck  my  foot  'way 
f'um  you  ag'in.  I  don'  wanter  hurt  you,  'deed  I  don'.' 

"Den  he  shet  de  do'  an'  come  back,  an'  Mis'  Hyar'  she 
cuff  de  chillen  all  roun'  fer  scrabblin'  in  de  ashes  an' 
gittin'  derse'fs  dirty,  an'  den  dey  all  went  ter  baid  an' 
slep'  jes'  ez  soun'  ez  ef  dey  ain'  bu'nt  de  footses  offen  de 
foxes  an'  den  turnt  'em  a-loose  in  de  col'." 

222 


HOW  THE  DEER  LOST  HIS  UPPER  TEETH 


Aunt  'Phrony  followed  up  the  last  story  with  one 
which  dealt  with  that  tricky  little  fellow,  Mr.  Hare. 
"You  chillen,"  she  commenced,  "mebbe  kin  'member,  an' 
den  ag'in  mebbe  you  kain't,  de  tale  I  done  tol'  you  onct 
'bout  de  creeturs  teckin'  'way  de  hawns  f 'um  ol'  Hyar*  an' 
puttin'  'em  on  Mistah  Deer's  haid.  Well,  den,  Hyar'  he 
bin  a-studyin'  an'  a-studyin'  how  he  gwine  git  even  wid 
him  fer  dat.  So  one  day  w'en  he  wuz  settin'  by  de  road, 
gnorrin'  on  de  bark  uv  a  black  locus',  'long  come  Mistah 
Deer  jes'  a-lopin'  by.  Hyar'  call  out  Tiowdy'  to  'im,  an' 
he  stop  and  pass  de  time  er  day.  He  see  Hyar'  jes' 
a-gnorrin'  'way  an'  he  say,  he  do,  *Lawsy,  Mistah  Hyar', 
w'at  pow'f ul  fine  toof s  you  got.  Huccome  dey  so  sharp  ?' 

"Hyar'  he  say,  sezee,  'Thanky,  suh,  my  toofs  is  right 
good  and  sharp,  an'  dis  huccome  dey  so,  dey  am'  grow 
dat-a-way;  I  oon  have  'em  ef  I  did  n'  wu'k  fer  em;  I 
done  whet  'em  myse'f  er  dey  am'  be  dis-a-way.  Jes'  look 
at  me  gnor  dis  bark.  Lemme  see  yo'  toofs,  suh/ 

"Deer  he  putt  down  his  haid  an'  open  his  mouf  wide, 
an'  Hyar'  he  tucken  him  by  de  tongue  an'  peer  inside,  lak 
he  might'ly  consarned  'bout  de  state  er  Mistah  Deer's 
toofs.  He  putt  on  a  sollum  look  an'  shuk  his  haid  an' 
say,  sezee,  'My !  my !  Mistah  Deer,  yo'  toofs  is  in  a  pow*- 
ful  bad  way.  I  dunno  't  all  how  you  mek  out  ter  chaw  yo' 
vittles ;  you  mus'  hatter  gobble  'em  down  hull ;  I  boun' 

223 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

ef  de  trufe  wuz  knowed,  yo'  stummick  all  out  er  order. 
You  better  lemme  fix  up  dese  toof s  fer  you  'fo'  dey  gits 
any  wusser  'n  w'at  dey  is;  better  let  me  whet  'em  fer 
you.' 

"Deer  he  'low  dat  he  have  bin  feelin'  right  squawmish 
in  de  stummick  yer  lately,  an'  he  'low,  he  do,  'I  ain'  bin 
blamin'  hit  on  de  toofs,  but  I  reckon  you'se  right,  an'  ef 
you  kin  fix  me  up  wid  a  outfit  er  vittle-'stroyers  lak  yo'n, 
jes'  you  go  ahaid  an'  do  hit,  quick  'z  you  kin/ 

"'All  right,'  sez  Hyar,  sezee,  'I'm  yo'  man;  I  gwine 
fix  you  up  so's't  you'll  s'prise  yo'se'f  an'  all  yo'  f ambly, 
an'  'twon't  be  long  'f o'  you'll  fin'  yo'se'f  so  fatted  up  dat 
li'l  mo'  an'  you'd  come  bustin'  thu  yo'  hide.'  Wid  dat 
he  go  off  an'  git  him  a  rock  an'  den  he  come  back  an' 
say,  'Now,  ol'  man,  jes'  lay  yo'  haid  back  an'  open  yo' 
mouf  wide  an'  gimme  good  elber-room  an'  I'll  have  you 
all  whetted  up  in  a  jiff,  so  sharp  't  you  kin  bite  tenpenny 
nails  in  two  ef  you  wanter.' 

"Deer  he  'low,  'Oh,  lawsy !  Mistah  Hyar',  I'se  'f eard 
you  gwine  hu't  me,  deed  I  is !' 

" 'Fraidy-calf !'  sez  Hyar',  sezee,  Tiow  you  reckon  I 
gwine  hu't  you  wid  dis  li'l  ol'  no-kyount  rock.  But  I'll 
jes*  g'long  an'  leave  you  wid  dem  mis'able  stumps  in  yo' 
mouf,  ef  you  sesso,  dough  I  had  hit  in  min'  ter  fix  you 
so's't  you  cu'd  mek  yo'  livin'  heap  easier  dan  you  does 
now.' 

"Deer  he  feel  kind  er  'shame'  uv  hisse'f  an'  he  'low, 
'Oh,  go  ahaid,  suh;  reckon  I  ain'  'feard  uv  a  li'l  thing 
lak  dat;  I  bin  runnin'  roun'  thu  dese  woods  'mongs' 
de  b'ars  an'  de  wil'cats  an'  de  wolfs  too  long  ter  be 
'feard  er  w'at  a  li'l  feller  lak  you  kin  do  ter  me.  Go  OD 
wid  de  grindin'.' 

224 


Mistah  Deer,  Yo'  Toofs  Is  In  A  Pow'ful  Bad  Way"  Page  223 


HOW  THE  DEER  LOST  HIS  UPPER  TEETH 

"Hyar'  he  clum  up  on  a  stump  whar  he  cu'd  reach 
good,  an'  den  he  jes'  rub  an'  rub  an'  rub  on  Mistah 
Deer's  upper  toofs.  Wen  he  got  'em  groun'  half-way 
down,  Deer  he  think  hit  'mence  ter  feel  mighty  queer  an' 
he  say,  sezee,  "Look-a-yer,  Mistah  Hyar',  w'at  you  doin' 
to  me  ?  I  'clar'  dat  don'  feel  right,  'deed  hit  don'.' 

"  'Is  dasso  ?'  Hyar'  'low.  'W'y  I  is  s'prise'.  But  nem- 
mine,  you  gwine  feel  all  right  torreckly.  I'se  jes' 
'mencin'  ter  git  a  nice  aidge  on  yo'  toofs,  an'  w'en  I'se 
thu  wid  you,  you  kin  gnor  de  bark  offen  de  saplin's  an' 
git  yo'se'f  sump'n  ter  eat  sidesen  dish  yer  triflin'  moss 
you  bin  livin'  off  all  dis  time.  I  gwine  fix  you  up  so's't 
you  kin  gnor  anything  you  've  a  min'  ter.' 

"Deer  he  'low,  'Name  er  gracious !  go  on,  den,  in  f er  a 
penny,  in  f  er  a  poun' !  but  don'  be  long  'bout  hit,  fer  I 
mighty  nigh  wo'  out.'  He  kep'  gruntin'  an'  groanin' 
an'  screwin',  wid  de  col'  shivers  runnin'  up  an'  down  his 
back,  an'  Hyar'  he  kep'  on  grindin'  an'  grindin'  'twel  po' 
ol'  Deer  ain'  have  nuttin'  but  de  stumps  uv  his  upper 
toofs  lef  in  his  haid. 

Den  Hyar  he  'low,  <Dar  you  is  now,  Mistah  Deer,  right 
ez  a  trivet,  suh;  jes'  g'long  an'  gnor  on  de  bark  er  dem 
saplin's  yonner,  an'  I  boun'  you  you'll  be  s'prise'  ter  fin' 
how  easy  'tis.' 

"'Thanky,  suh,  all  right,  suh,'  sez  de  Deer,  sezee,  'I 
sut'n'y  is  'bleeged  ter  you.  I  bin  wantin'  me  sump'n 
diff'nt  ter  eat  dis  long  time,'  an'  wid  dat  he  walk  over  ter 
de  saplin's. 

"Hyar'  he  'mence  sneakin'  an'  slidin'  off,  but  he  ain' 
go  fur ;  he  hide  behime  a  tree  an'  watch  ter  see  w'at  Deer 
gwine  do.  W'en  Deer  fine  out  he  kain't  gnor  de  bark  't 
all,  an'  dat  his  upper  toofs  mos'  all  gone,  he  jes'  stomped 

225 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


his  huf s  an'  r'ared  'roun'.  'Wuf  less  li'l  bunnel  er  trash !' 
he  say.  'I  wish  't  I  had  'im  yer  on  one'r  dese  hawns  er 
mine  dis  ve'y  minnit.  I  boun'  you  I'd  show  'im  hue- 
come  !  Gone  an'  done  me  outer  my  toofs,  wid  nuttin' 
lef  hut  a  ache  in  place  uv  'em/  an'  wid  dat  he  shuk  his 
hawns  an'  jes'  r'ared  'roun'  'twel  Hyar'  wuz  mos'  'feard 
ter  show  hisse'f . 

"Las  he  cu'dden  keep  back  his  imp'ence  no  longer,  so 
he  stick  his  haid  out  an'  say,  'Hi !  yi !  Mistah  Deer,  you 
'pears  ter  be  kind  er  stove  up  'bout  de  toof s,  ef  I  am'  mek 
no  misteck.  Ain'  dat  a  pity !  sho' !  sho' !  I'se  s'prise'  you 
trus'  me  wid  dat  job,  I  sut'n'y  is,  'kase  you  moughter 
knowed  I  wuz  gwine  git  even  wid  you  fer  wearin'  dem 
hawns  de  creeturs  tucken  'way  f 'um  me,  Ven  you  knowed 
dey  wuz  mine  by  rights.  I  reckon  you  done  fergot  how 
you  drug  me  bef  o'  de  kyouncil,  a  pris'ner,  but  I  tell  you, 
suh,  I  am'  fergit  hit;  I  bin  waitin'  all  dis  time  ter 
git  even,  an'  I  'low  dat  I  done  come  up  wid  you,  fer 
folks  kin  do  widout  hawns,  but  dey  kain't  git  'long  ve'y 
well  widout  toofs,  lessen  dey  teck  ter  swollerin'  sop- 
vittles.  Ain'  dat  de  trufe?  I  leave  hit  ter  you,  suh, 
'kase  I  knows  dat  you  in  a  fix  ter  know  all  'bout  hit/ 

"Wid  dat  he  let  out  a  big  hoot  an'  step'  off  home 
widout  waitin'  ter  look  behime,  an'  lef  ol'  Deer  chawin' 
off  de  li'l  buds  an'  young  twigs,  an'  dat  w*at  de  deers 
bin  doin'  uver  sence,  'kase  dey  am'  got  no  upper  toofs 
wuf  speakin*  uv  ter  do  der  chawin'  wid." 


226 


THE  HAEE  DISAPPEAES  FOR  EVER 


"Umph!"  said  Eliza,  when  she  had  heard  how  the 
Deer  came  to  have  such  short  upper  teeth.  "Umph!  I 
know  Deer  'felt  bad  widout  dem  toof s ;  I  Tcnow  he  did, 
'kase  I  done  los'  my  own,  an'  dish  yer  thing  uv  gommin' 
hit  ain'  w'at  hits  cracked  up  ter  be,  'deed  hit  ain'.  Hit 
don'  s'prise  me  dat  Deer  wuz  mad  wid  ol'  Hyar'.  I 
reckon  dey  kep'  mighty  cle'r  uv  one  nu'rr  atter  dat 
'spe'yunce." 

"'Deed  dey  ain',  den,"  said  Aunt  'Phrony.  "Co'se 
Hyar'  he  try  ter  keep  outen  de  way  fer  a  li'l  w'ile,  but 
Deer  he  let  on  ter  be  fren'ly  an'  familious,  waitin'  fer 
de  chanct  ter  git  even  wid  him,  an'  dat  th'ow  Hyar'  offen 
his  gyard,  an'  he  git  so,  pres'n'y,  dat  he  ac'  jes'  'z  dough 
nuttin'  done  happen  'twix'  'em.  Hit  run  on  lak  dat 
ontwel  one  time  w'en  Hyar'  wuz  gwine  roun'  tendin'  ter 
be  a  doctah  an'  meddlin'  an'  muddlin'  wid  de  sick  folks. 

"One  day  a  baby  git  scalted  wid  hot  water  an'  go  ter 
cryin'  an'  hollerin'  so  dey  kain't  do  nuttin'  wid  him. 
Hyar'  he  come  dat  way  an'  he  say,  he  do,  'Hi !  Vat  on 
yearf  is  de  marter  wid  dat  chil'?  He  howl  wusser'n 
any  ol'  wolf  on  de  mountain ;  done  split  my  years  f 'um 
top  ter  bottom.' 

"Dey  tol'  'im  w'at  wuz  de  marter  wid  de  chil',  an'  he 
say,  sezee,  'Jes'  lemme  see  dat  chil';  I'se  a  doctah,  an' 
I  boun'  you  I  kin  gin  him  sump'n  dat  '11  ease  de  pain 
an'  mek  him  stop  cryin',  fer  I  tell  you  p'intedly  dat  I'se 
a  fuss'-class  doctah,  an'  ef  any  un  you  feelin'  kind  er 

227 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

doncey  he  better  insult  me  'bout  hit  right  now,  'kase 
I  dunno  w'en  he  gwine  git  de  chanct  ag'in.' 

"  'Well/  dey  ses  ter  him,  'w'at  kin  you  do  fer  burns  ?' 

"'You  lemme  'lone  fer  dat,'  sezee.  'I  does  hit  wid 
water,  but  ef  I  wuz  ter  tell  you  jes'  how,  de  chawm  done 
be  bruk.  You  mus'  putt  me  in  de  house  an'  den  shet 
de  do'  an'  fill  up  all  de  chinks  an'  den  go  'way  a  li'l 
piece,  fer  I  mus'  be  so't  eye  kain't  see  ner  year  lissen 
at  me.' 

"  'All  right,'  dey  ses,  an'  den  dey  went  ter  w'uk  fillin' 
up  de  chinks,  dobbin'  'em  wid  clay,  an'  w'ile  dey  'z  doin' 
dat  Hyar'  he  sa'nter  roun'  kind  er  kyarless  an'  foun'  a 
li'l  hole  whar  he  cu'd  git  out  ef  anything  wuz  ter  hap- 
pen, 'kase  he  seed  de  baby  wuz  nigh  mos'  daid  an'  he'z 
'f eard  dey  mought  blame  him  fer  hit.  'My,  my !'  he  sez 
ter  hisse'f,  'I  didn'  s'pose  de  chil'  wuz  dat  bad  off  er 
I  oon  'a  tol'  'em  I  wuz  a  doctah.  I  wish  I  wuz  safe 
outer  dis,  but  I  gotter  go  thu  wid  hit  now.  My !  my !  dis 
shows  me  I  better  stick  ter  de  truf  e  atter  dis.' 

"Well,  de  folks  got  de  dobbin'  done  an'  den  dey 
walked  'way  f'um  de  house  a  piece  ter  see  w'at  gwine 
happen.  Hyar'  he  tuck  an'  tuck  de  baby  an'  soused  hit 
in  de  water  an'  de  chil'  gin  one  onyearfly  yell  an'  den 
wuz  still,  an'  Hyar'  he  see  dat  'twuz  plumb  daid,  an'  he 
say  ter  hisse'f,  sezee,  'Come  on,  Doctah  Hyar',  le's  we-all 
git  outen  dis  in  a  hurry  ef  we  know  w'at  good  fer  us,' 
an'  he  ga'rr  hisse'f  toge'rr  ter  spring  out  er  de  hole. 

"Now,  de  mammy  er  de  chil'  she  done  stay  behime  ter 
lissen,  an*  w'en  she  year  de  baby  yell  she  call  ter  de  res', 
'Come  yer,  quick,  all  er  you !  hurry  up  fas'  'z  you  kin ! 
Dat  owdacious  hypermocrit  done  kill  my  chil',  I  know 
he  have !  Bus'  in  de  do',  you-all,  an'  nab  him  'fo'  he  kin 

228 


THE  HAEE  DISAPPEAES  FOE  EVEE 

git  off.    Ef  he  done  hurt  my  chiP  I  ain'  gwine  leave  one 
spear  er  hya'r  on  his  mis'able  hide !    You  year  me  now !' 

"So  de  folks  come  a-runnin'  an'  bus'  in  de  do'  an' 
foun'  de  chiP  layin'  dar  daid.  Hyar'  he  run  outen  de 
hole,  an'  de  ooman  she  set  de  dogs  on  'im  an'  dey  chased 
him  inter  a  hole  in  de  tree  an'  stood  dar  keepin'  gyard 
ontwel  de  ooman  come  up.  De  people  rushed  up,  yellin' 
an'  callin',  an'  de  dogs  wuz  darnsin'  roun'  yappin'  an' 
yowlin',  an'  de  ooman  wuz  cryin'  an'  kyar'yin'  on  an' 
bellerin',  'Oh,  lemme  git  at  him;  jes'  lemme  putt  my 
han's  on  him  onct  an'  he'll  wish  he'd  died  'fo'  he  wuz 
bawned !'  01'  Hyar'  think  his  time  done  come  f er  sho'. 

"De  ooman  tucken  a  stick  an'  twis'  hit  roun'  in  de 
tree,  an'  she  say,  sez  she,  'Um-umph !  got  you  now,  mis'a- 
ble li'l  thief-an'-body-snatcher !  Atter  you  wid  a  sharp 
stick,  sho'  'miff.  Gwine  git  you  dis  time!'  Las'  she 
twis'  him  outen  de  tree  an'  he  fall  right  inter  her  lap. 
She  snatched  him  by  de  scruff  er  de  neck  an'  'gun  ter 
lamm  him  fus'  on  one  jaw  an'  den  on  tu'rr,  talkin'  at 
him  all  de  time,  'Kill  my  baby,  will  you !  Meddle  wid 
de  doctah's  trade,  will  you !  Play  de  torm-fool  wid  us 
all,  will  you !  Teck  dat,  now !  an'  dat !  an'  dat !' 

"De  ooman  she  done  skunt  one'r  his  laigs  wid  de  stick, 
an'  hit  'mence  ter  smart  him  right  much,  so  he  say, 
mighty  meek  an'  numble,  'Please,  ma'am,  fer  ter  let 
me  down  a  minnit  w'ile  I  fix  my  laig;  hit  done  smart 
me  lak  a  hull  nes'ful  er  wast-es.  Kill  me  ef  you  gotter, 
but,  fer  de  Ian'  sake,  lemme  fix  dis  laig  fus' !' 

"De  ooman  wuz  fool  'nuff  ter  let  him  down,  an'  I 
boun'  ter  let  you  know  dat  he  did'n'  let  de  grass  grow 
unner  his  footses;  not  him.  He  wuz  off  an'  hid  'way 
down  in  de  woods  in  a  kyave  quicker'n  I  kin  tell  hit. 

229 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 


"De  ooman  cu'dden  tell  how  in  de  name  er  goodness 
she  gwine  git  even  wid  him,  so  she  call  all  de  folks  to- 
ge'rr  an' ax  'em  fer  ter  he'p  tell  her  how  ter  do  hit.  Wiles 
dey  wuz  talkin'  'long  come  de  Deer,  an'  year  w'at  dey 
say,  an'  he  sez,  sezee,  'Sho' !  dat's  easy  ez  rollin'  offen  a 
log.  Leave  dat  ter  me ;  I'se  de  man  whar  kin  fix  up  dis 
job.  W'y,  I  kin  sen'  dat  feller  clean  over  de  ocean,  so 
fur  he  nuver  kin  git  back  ag'in,  ef  you  sesso.' 

"De  folks  hilt  a  li'l  confab  an'  mek  up  der  min's  dey 
bes'  let  Deer  git  redd  er  de  Hyar'.  f  'Deed  dat  I  will/ 
sezee,  an'  he  went  sa'nterin'  'long,  jes'  ez  gaily  ez  you 


J 


THE   HAEE    DISAPPEAKS   FOE   EVEK 

please  down  inter  de  woods.  Hyar'  yearn  him  comin' 
an'  peeped  outer  de  kyave  ter  see  who  'twuz.  Wen  he 
see  'twuz  Deer  he  mek  up  his  min'  ter  come  out  an'  pass 
de  time  er  day  wid  him,  'kase  he  thought  Deer  wuz  his 
fren'  an'  wuz  fool  'nuff  ter  s'pose  Deer  done  fergot  all 
'bout  havin'  his  toofs  groun'  down.  So  he  come  pran- 
cin'  out,  jes'  ez  peart  ez  a  lizzud. 

"Deer  he  say,  'Howdy,  ol'  man ;  whar  you  bin  keepin' 
yo'se'f  all  dis  time?  Mus'n'  hide  yo'se'f  'way  f'um  yo' 
f  ren's ;  dey  jes'  natchelly  kain't  git  'long  widout  you.  I 
come  ter  ax  you  ef  you  oon  lak  ter  go  'long  er  me  an'  teck 
a  li'l  walk  dish  yer  fine  day.  Do  you  good;  you  look 
kinder  pindlin'.' 

"Hyar'  kind  er  tired  er  stayin'  in  de  kyave  all  'lone, 
so  he  say,  'Dat  I  will !  I'se  mo'  tickelt  dan  a  b'ar  wid  a 
bee-gum  ter  see  you  onct  mo'.  Pow'ful  lonesome,  suh, 
roun'  dese  diggin's,  pow'ful  lonesome;  dis  de  fus'  time 
I  uver  'spicioned  dat  I  wuz  n't  good  comp'ny.' 

"Dey  went  romantin'  thu  de  woods  an'  pres'n'y  dey 
come  to  a  branch,  an'  Deer  he  say  ter  ol'  Hyar',  'Well, 
now,  my  soople-jack  fren',  does  you  think  you  kin  jump 
dish  yer  ?' 

"  'Dat  I  kin,'  sez  Hyar',  sezee,  'a  li'l  ol'  narrer  stream 
lak  dis ;  dis  nuttin'  't  all.  Kin  you  ?' 

"  'Oh,  I  reckon  I  mought  mek  out  ter  spraddle  'cross 
somehows/  sez  Deer,  'le's  we-all  step  back  a  piece  an'  gin 
a  run  an'  a  spring  toge'rr  an'  see  w'icht  kin  cle'r  de 
branch  bes'/ 

"'All  right,'  sez  Hyar,  sezee,  an'  wid  dat  dey  run 
to'des  de  branch.  Hyar'  he  gin  a  monst'ous  jump  dat 
Ian'  him  clean  on  tu'rr  side,  but  Deer  ain'  jump  't  all, 
jes'  stan'  at  de  aidge  er  de  branch  laughin'.  Hyar'  he 

231 


AT   THE   BIG   HOUSE 

baig  him  f'um  tu'rr  side  not  ter  be  'feard  but  ter  ga'rr 
his  laigs  toge'rr  an'  jump  lak  he  have  some  sense  an' 
not  stan'  dar  grinnin'  lak  a  plumb  iji't. 

"De  mo'  he  baig  de  mo'  Deer  stan'  still,  an'  pres'n'y 
de  branch  'mence  ter  git  wider  an'  wider  'twel  hit  look 
'zackly  lak  de  ocean,  an  dat's  w'at  'twuz,  sho'  'nuff,  fer 
Deer  was  a  mighty  big  cunjerer  in  dem  days,  an'  he  done 
made  de  ocean  look  narrer  ez  a  branch,  so's't  he  cu'd  fool 
oF  Hyar'.  Wen  he  got  him  across  he  tucken  de  spell 
offen  Hyar's  eyes  an'  let  him  see  dat  he  done  cross  over 
de  ocean  an'  kain't  git  back  ag'in,  an'  dar  whar  he  bin 
uver  sence,  dat  ol'-time  mischief-mekin'  Gre't  Hyar'. 
Dish  yer  w'at  we  have  now  is  jes'  a  li'l  no-kyount,  harm- 
less kin  er  his'n,  an'  all  dat's  lef  er  de  oF  doin's  is  jes' 
dese  yer  tales  w'at  I  bin  tellin'  you.  But  dish  yer's  de 
las'  uv  him,  'kase  I  done  sont  him  clean  'cross  de  big 
water,  so  I  kain't  tell  you  no  mo'  uv  his  doin's,  even  ef 
you  wuz  ter  be  yer  ter  year  me  tell  'em,  w'ich  dat  you 
won'  be;  you  gwine  be  fur  'nuff  'way  f'um  we-all  an' 
all  yo'  kinry,"  and  here  the  old  woman  threw  her  arms 
about  the  children  and  led  the  very  sincere  chorus  of  re- 
gret from  these  humble  friends  who  had  added  so  much 
to  the  pleasure  of  the  visit  and  whom  they  were  not 
to  see  again.  For  the  old  plantation  was  sold  not  many 
years  after,  and  their  mother  never  went  back. 

When  the  children  were  grown  they  wandered  once 
more  to  the  spot  which  had  been  the  home  of  their  an- 
cestors for  more  than  a  hundred  years,  but  all  was 
changed,  all  the  faces  unfamiliar,  and  Aunt  'Phrony 
and  Aunt  Nancy  lay  peacefully  beneath  the  spreading 
trees  of  the  old  negro  burial-lot  back  of  the  garden, 
where  so  many  faithful  black  heads  had  been  laid  in  the 

232 


THE  HAKE  DISAPPEAKS  FOR  EVER 

days  that  were  gone, — those  unreturning  days  when  be- 
tween the  white  man  and  the  black  were  confidence  and 
esteem  and  faith  and  trust  and  affection.  As  they  turned 
away  from  the  spot  they  sighed  regretfully  for  these 
things,  gone  as  utterly  and  surely  as  Molly  Hare  her- 
self has  vanished  from  the  firesides  of  her  once  cordial 
hosts,  banished  by  the  arts  of  a  powerful  conjuror 
who  performs  many  wonderful  feats  and  incantations 
through  the  agency  of  twenty-six  nimble  little  charac- 
ters, known  as  the  letters  of  the  alphabet. 


233 


P53505 


u.c. 


